'Policemen killed' in Saudi chase

Three Saudi security personnel have been killed while chasing suspected militants, state television says.

Seven suspects were detained during the operation in the northern city of Buraida, the reports said.

"A patrol car caught fire after it was hit by a bullet while chasing a suspect's car", a security source told the AFP news agency.

It is the latest clash between Saudi security forces and militants blamed for attacks and kidnappings.

The suspects were arrested after searches through the southern neighbourhoods of Buraida, 400km (250 miles) north of Riyadh, the security source said.

Saudi TV said "specialised security bodies" were continuing to look into the incident.

Buraida is a conservative city, where there have been several clashes. In the most recent, a policeman was killed on Friday.

Militants believed to be linked to the al-Qaeda organisation have killed about 90 policemen and civilians in Saudi Arabia, many of them foreigners.

Their 15-month campaign of suicide bombings and shootings has caused serious problems for the authorities in the world's biggest oil-exporting country.