Two militants die in Mecca chase

Saudi Arabia has cracked down on militants since the May bombings

Two militants have blown themselves up during an operation by Saudi security forces in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi officials say.

The two died as they were being chased through the city's al-Sharaeh district, a security official said.

Earlier, Saudi media reported that security forces had shot dead a Muslim militant in the capital Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia has cracked down on militants since suicide bombers hit Western compounds in Riyadh in May.

Series of clashes

A Saudi official quoted by the Associated Press said the two who died in Mecca probably belonged to a terror cell that had clashed with Saudi police in the city on Monday.

During that operation, two militants were killed and six captured as they planned to attack pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi authorities said.

The clashes follow British and US warnings of a threat of attacks on Western targets during the holy month of Ramadan, which began late in October.

In the latest clash in Riyadh, militants opened fire as their hideout was being investigated and police fired back, killing one and suffering eight minor injuries, an interior ministry official was quoted as saying.

The raid took place at about 0400 (0100 GMT) in Riyadh's southern district of Suweidi.

The interior minister, Prince Nayef, said at the time that the suspected militants planned to strike at "buildings, installations and people" and belonged to the al-Qaeda network of Saudi-born Osama Bin Laden.

Saudi authorities are reported to have rounded up about 600 suspected militants in the crackdown. They say some of the detainees are linked to al-Qaeda.

Fifteen of the 19 hijackers who attacked the United States on 11 September 2001 were Saudis.

There have been frequent shoot-outs, involving casualties for both militants and security forces.