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.

Tens of European, US and other hostages were released today and a gunmen believed to be the lead Islamic militant holding them was arrested, a Saudi security official said, adding that two other gunmen were “in the process of being arrested”.

Saudi security forces have stormed an expat housing complex where suspected Islamic militants are holed up with a reported 50 hostages after attacking oil company offices.

Saudi security forces stormed a prestige expatriate housing complex where gunmen holed up and took hostages after a shooting dead at least six people at oil company offices in the eastern city of Khobar.

An elderly man was in serious condition in Cork University Hospital today after he was attacked in Cork city centre in the early hours of the morning.