'Militant' killed in Saudi clash

Saudi security forces shot dead a suspected militant in a clash in the Red Sea port of Jeddah, police said.

Witnesses said two people escaped from the scene in the Jamia district of the city, Saudi Arabia's economic capital.

A policeman told Reuters news agency the dead man was wanted over security issues, but gave no more details about the shootout early on Saturday evening.

Saudi Arabia has been battling a wave of attacks in the past 18 months, which it blames on the al-Qaeda network.

The Interior Ministry did not comment immediately on the latest operation.

A security source told the French news agency AFP that a second man had been arrested in the incident.

Witnesses told Reuters two people had fled the scene, leaving behind rifles and ammunition in a car.

Police shot dead another suspected militant in the same area of the city earlier this month.