Saudi Arabia has raised its level of military alertness in anticipation of a possible Western strike in Syria, sources familiar with the matter said yesterday.

Saudi Arabia's defence readiness has been raised to "two" from "five", a Saudi military source who declined to be named said.

"One" is the highest level of alert. "It is a must, no one knows what will happen," he said.

A second source said Saudi Arabia's defence readiness had been raised last week, and meant that all leave for the armed forces would be cancelled.

In Kuwait, MPs asked their government to inform them about plans for readiness to deal with repercussions of a strike on Syria.

Prime Minister Shaikh Jaber Al Mubarak Al Sabah held an extraordinary Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Interior Minister Shaikh Mohammad Al Hamad Al Sabah was told to take all necessary measures in case of an emergency.-Reuters