The leading Saudi Arabian dissident, Osama Bin Laden, has renewed a threat of action against thousands of American forces stationed in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking from eastern Afghanistan, where he is in exile, Mr Bin Laden said a holy war or jihad was being declared against the servicemen, and the results would be felt soon.

Mr Bin Laden has been named by the United States as a prime suspect in two bombings in Saudi Arabia in which twenty-four US soldiers were killed.

On a recent visit to Afghanistan, the US ambassador to the United Nations, Bill Richardson, asked the Taleban authorities to keep Mr Bin Laden under control.