The US has accused Iranian government agents of plotting to assassinate the Saudi ambassador, immediately using the thwarted plot to step up sanctions and recruit international allies in a bid to further isolate Tehran.

BRITAIN’S education department is to look at how it can check Islamic weekend schools after the BBC reported it had uncovered more than 40 of them teaching anti-Semitic views and extreme punishment for sodomy and theft.

A daughter of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden has taken refuge in the Saudi embassy in Tehran after eluding guards who have held her, her sister and four brothers under house arrest for eight years, it was reported.

SAUDI ARABIA said yesterday it had no evidence that Osama bin Laden had died, shedding further doubt on a secret document leaked in France that said Saudi secret services believed he had died last month.

A confidant of Osama bin Laden, seen on a videotape with the al-Qaida chief as he talked about the September 11 terror attacks, has surrendered to Saudi diplomats in Iran and has been flown to the Saudi capital.

Another Westerner was shot dead in Riyadh today, as Saudi authorities tried to reassure foreign workers there was “no crisis” over terrorist attacks.

Saudi Arabia sought to reassure foreign oil executives – and prevent a dramatic rise in crude prices – after the lethal attack on two compounds housing offices and homes of expatriates working in the country’s most important industry.

SAUDI commandos in helicopters stormed an expatriate resort yesterday to free hostages seized by suspected al-Qaida gunmen in an assault that killed 22 people mostly foreigners, including one American.

Explosions and gun fire were heard near the British ambassador’s residence in Damascus tonight, according to reports from Arab television stations.

Libya today recalled its ambassador to Saudi Arabia for consultations following a heated and public exchange of insults between Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi and Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah at an Arab summit.

AN operation to separate conjoined twins that took place after an appeal for help by a British charity has been a success, doctors said yesterday.

An operation to separate conjoined twins that took place after an appeal for help by a British charity has been a success, doctors said today.