Hostages feared dead as troops end stand off

Saudi troops freed American, European and other foreign hostages today after they stormed a residential compound where gunmen were holed up in a deadly stand off.

After today’s operation, a Saudi security official said the lead attacker was in custody and two other Islamic militants were being arrested.

The Saudi security official would not comment on the whereabouts or conditions of the hostages, saying only: ”It has ended. One has been arrested and two are in the process of being arrested – they are surrounded.”

However, a diplomat in Khobar, said Saudi officials told him there were deaths among the hostages and attackers. He did not know how many hostages were dead, but said he had been told two gunmen were killed.

At least 10 other people died in a crisis that ended about 25 hours after it started on Saturday morning.

Gunmen in military-style dress opened fire and exchanged shots with Saudi security forces at two oil industry compounds housing offices and employee apartments in Khobar, 250 miles northeast of Riyadh. They fled up the street, taking hostages in a high-rise in Oasis Residential Resorts.