Saudi Arabia tells NY judge it had nothing to do with 9/11 and should be dropped from lawsuit

An attorney for Saudi Arabia says that nation had nothing to do with the Sept. 11 attacks and should be dismissed as a defendant in lawsuits brought by victims' families.

Attorney Michael Kellogg made the argument Thursday during a hearing in New York.

Saudi Arabia was dismissed nine years ago from the litigation but was restored as a defendant in 2013 by a federal appeals court in Manhattan.

Kellogg says there are no facts showing Saudi Arabia knew of the attacks in advance or knowingly aided terrorists.

The lawsuits were brought in 2002 and afterward against countries, companies and organizations accused of aiding al-Qaida and other terrorist groups. They sought billions of dollars in damages.