Terror suspect dies in gun battle

Saudi police clashed with suspected terrorists in the capital Riyadh early today, leaving one suspect dead and eight policemen injured, the Interior Ministry said.

It was the second clash this week linked to a crackdown on extremism following a series of suicide car bombings in Riyadh.

The official Saudi Press Agency quoted an Interior Ministry official as saying security forces were searching a Riyadh neighbourhood when “a number of terrorists fired weapons and exploded bombs.”

The security forces fired back, killing one militant, the official said. The eight policemen were “slightly injured,” according to the official. Further details were not immediately available.

Saudi police killed two al-Qaida suspects and arrested six in a shoot-out in the holy city of Mecca on Monday.