10 killed in Saudi terror blast

At least 10 people died and dozens were injured when a suicide bomber attacked the Saudi Arabian Security forces administration headquarters in the centre of the capital Riyadh today.

A massive blast rocked the city and severely damaged the building just days after a US warning of possible terror attacks.

The body of the suspected suicide bomber was found in front of the security forces building, Arab television said.

Witnesses said the explosions shattered windows and damaged walls in surrounding buildings.

Fire brigades worked to extinguish the fire that engulfed the General Security building.

More than 20 ambulances were seen arriving at the scene and there were two helicopters roving over the site of the explosion. Police cordoned off the area.

Saudi and Arab television channels showed clouds of black smoke rising from the building and settling over the neighbourhood.

Security forces evacuated the surrounding buildings.

The explosions came only days after Saudi authorities seized three booby-trapped 4X4 vehicles that were loaded with more than four tons of explosives.

They had apparently been abandoned by militants involved in a shoot-out with security forces.

The United States last week ordered the departure of nonessential government employees and family members from Saudi Arabia.

It also urged private citizens to leave the kingdom, and the US embassy issued an advisory warning of “credible indications of terrorist threats aimed at American and Western interests in Saudi Arabia.”

Last year, the Saudi capital suffered two major attacks by suicide bombers driving vehicles filled with explosives.

A total of 51 people were killed in the May and November bombings, including the assailants.

The Saudis pursued terrorists and Islamic extremists vigorously after those attacks, arresting hundreds of people.

The attacks were blamed on Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida terror network.