Saudi security forces have arrested five men suspected of plotting a terror attack in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. The men, who included one foreigner of undisclosed identity and four Saudi nationals, were believed to be part of a network planning an attack in the near future.
The arrests took place following several police raids in which some 20 kilograms of explosives were discovered as well as significant sums of money. Fire was exchanged in at least one of the raids according to police.
One official who spoke with the AP told reporters that "They were apparently preparing for a terrorist attack, probably soon."
Authorities believe that the attack was intended to include government installations.
Suadia Arabia has been the target of numerous attacks since May 2003, prompting Saudi officials to launch a campaign to round up all possible suspects and prevent future attacks.
26 wanted men were identified in December 2003 of being behind such attacks, 25 of whom have since been apprehended; ten of the men were killed.
Since King Abdullah replaced of his father, the late King Fahd, last August, Saudi police have carried out several raids, some of which in the city of Mecca, against suspected Al Qaede members.
It is unclear whether or not the recent arrests included suspected Al Qaeda members.
