Al Qaida militant killed in shootout

A leading al Qaida militant was killed in a shootout in Riyadh today.

Saudi security officials said Abdullah Mohammed Rashid al-Roshoud, believed to be the chief ideologue for al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, died in the clash in the al-Quds neighbourhood.

A policeman was also killed in the incident and six security personnel and three bystanders were injured.

The incident happened following last week’s amnesty offer by King Fahd to wanted militants.

He said fugitives who surrendered to police within one month would not face the death penalty.