Saudi Arabia vows to hit militants with iron fist

SAUDI Arabia vowed yesterday to strike with an iron fist at militants who attacked a Saudi Arabian petrochemical site and pledged every effort to protect foreigners, five of whom died in the shooting spree.

"The Saudi leadership and people affirm their determination to strike with an iron fist in fighting this deviant group to uproot this wicked disease," Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said.

No group has claimed responsibility for Saturday's attack in the energy hub of Yanbu, which killed two Americans, two Britons and an Australian. The gunmen dragged the corpse of one American through the streets, but were later shot dead by police. Two Saudi security men were also killed and 20 were wounded in clashes with militants.