The Saudi Arabian government has threatened to sell hundreds of billions of dollars worth of American assets should the US Congress pass a bill that could hold the kingdom responsible for any role in the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The Obama administration has lobbied Congress to block the bill's passage, administration officials and congressional aides from both parties say, and the Saudi threats have been the subject of intense discussions in recent weeks between lawmakers and officials from the State Department and the Pentagon.

The burning buildings collapse amid huge plumes of smoke. Credit:NYC Police Aviation Unit

The officials have warned senators of diplomatic and economic fallout from the legislation.