Saudi Arabia foiled 90 pc of attacks: Minister

Riyadh, Apr 1: Saudi Arabia has foiled about 90 per cent of attacks militants had planned to carry out in the world's largest oil exporting kingdom, a top official said today.

''This is thanks to God and to detailed security effort and continuous tracking of terrorist cells,'' Interior Minister Prince Nayef told pan-Arab Al Hayat newspaper.

Nayef declined to say when he expected Saudi forces to end militant attacks in the country, which announced this week the arrest of 40 suspected militants and the seizure of an major arms cache.

Eight of those arrested were linked to al Qaeda's attack on the world's largest oil processing plant in Abqaiq in February.

Crown Prince Sultan has said authorities aim to end ''terrorist activity'' in the country within two years.

Saudi authorities were coordinating with their Iraqi counterparts to hand over any Saudi militant who had crossed into Iraq. ''(They are used) as explosive devices or suicide bombers,'' Nayef said.

Western diplomats say up to 3,000 Saudis have sneaked through the porous borders to fight the US-led coalition in Iraq.

Nayef said authorities will soon put on trial suspected militants and are setting up a special court that will ensure they have a fair trial. He did not elaborate.

The Saudi wing of al Qaeda has been waging a violent campaign for more than two years aimed at toppling the pro-U.S.

monarchy and expelling Westerners from the birthplace of Islam.

Officials say about 144 foreigners and Saudis, including security forces, and 120 militants have died in attacks and clashes with police since May 2003, when al Qaeda suicide bombers hit three Western housing compounds in Riyadh.

REUTERS