Saudi king says amnesty still open to militants

RIYADH, June 26 (Reuters) Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah today said that an amnesty first offered to militants two years ago was back on the table, Saudi official media reported.

''In continuation of the amnesty that the Custodian of the two Holy Shrines already issued, the king directed that anyone who hands himself over will be covered by the amnesty,'' state news agency SPA said, citing a government spokesman who was speaking after a cabinet meeting.

The offer comes three days after six Islamist militants were killed in a three-hour clash in an affluent neighbourhood of Riyadh after police surrounded their villa to prevent what it said was a planned attack.

On Saturday, the kingdom said security forces had arrested 42 suspected Islamist militants in raids across the kingdom over the last several months.

King Abdullah, then crown prince, announced the first amnesty in 2004 when a campaign by Islamic militants to topple the Saudi monarchy in the name of al Qaeda was at its height.

Officials say more than 150 foreigners and Saudis, including security forces, and 136 militants have died in attacks and clashes with police since May 2003, when suicide bombers hit three Western housing compounds in Riyadh.

Only six militants were confirmed to have surrendered when the first one-month amnesty expired in late July 2004.

REUTERS SB KN2309