Families of 9/11 victims tell Biden not to attend memorial events

In this file photo smoke and flames erupt from the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre after aircraft deliberately crashed into the buildings in lower Manhattan, New York on 11 September 2001. Photo: AFP

Family members of the victims of the 11 September 2001 terror attacks have called on US President Joe Biden to stay away from memorial events unless he declassifies files about the attacks.

Nearly 1800 people signed a letter calling on him to release documents that they believe implicate officials from Saudi Arabia in the plot.

They say that if he refuses, he should not attend ceremonies next month to commemorate the 20th anniversary.

Nearly 3000 people died on 9/11.

The attacks were committed by the Al Qaeda terror group, investigators say, and triggered the US invasion of Afghanistan. Fifteen of the 19 plane hijackers were Saudi nationals.

“We cannot in good faith, and with veneration to those lost, sick, and injured, welcome the president to our hallowed grounds until he fulfils his commitment,” says the letter from family members, first responders and survivors.

They call on Biden to stay away from the three sites where the attacks took place – in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

The families have long argued that Saudi officials had advance knowledge of the attack, and did nothing to stop it. They have sued the government of Saudi Arabia, which has denied being involved.

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