'Grim' outlook for US hostage in Saudi Arabia

SECURITY forces were desperately hunting yesterday for a US hostage facing death within hours at the hands of terrorists in Saudi Arabia.

The outlook for defence contractor Paul Johnson was "grim", according to a US senator who held emergency talks with a Saudi official.

The hostage-takers gave their captive 72 hours to live, from Wednesday, unless al-Qaida hostages were released and westerners left the Arab Peninsula.