Report: Riyadh bomb suspect arrested

A militant who is suspected of masterminding the May 12 suicide bombings in the Saudi capital has been arrested, state radio reported today.

Ali Abd al-Rahman al-Faqasi al-Ghamdi “surrendered voluntarily” to police, an interior ministry official said, according to Radio Riyadh.

Al-Ghamdi is believed to have close links with al Qaida, the terror group behind the September 11 attacks. He is also among the 19 alleged militants wanted since Saudi police discovered a weapons cache in Riyadh early last month. The 19 are suspected of taking orders directly from al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

US officials have said al-Ghamdi is also known as Abu Bakr and has been active in al Qaida’s operations in Saudi Arabia.

“Justice will take its course within the framework of the laws,” the radio quoted the Interior Ministry official as saying.

Meanwhile, state-controlled Saudi newspapers reported that police had arrested three more suspected militants, including one wanted in connection with the foiled plot to launch terror attacks in the holy city of Mecca.

The Al-Riyadh daily said police arrested the men yesterday at a checkpoint in southern Mecca following a car chase, which began after security officers were tipped off.

Police said one detainee was sought for the Mecca plot, which was foiled on June 14 when police raided an apartment in Mecca. A gunbattle ensued in which five suspected al Qaida militants and two policemen were killed.

Saudi officials were not immediately available for comment.

The Saudi-owned, London-based Al-Hayat newspaper identified one of the Mecca suspects as Khalid al-Sherif, who is one of the most sought after militants in the kingdom. The paper did not elaborate.

At least 12 suspects were arrested following the raid in Mecca, 450 miles west of Riyadh. The targets of the Mecca plot were not identified.

The raid followed the May 12 terror attacks in Riyadh that killed 34 people, including nine suicide bombers who have been linked to al Qaida.

Saudi authorities have since launched a crackdown on suspected militants and sympathisers throughout the country.

The Okaz newspaper reported today the arrests of three more Saudis in Mecca who were bound for the Red Sea port of Jiddah and were carrying maps and plans of a number of ”vital government locations.” It was unclear when the arrests were made.