Sixteen suspected militants arrested in Saudi Arabia are linked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network, Interior Minister Prince Nayef has claimed.
Prince Nayef told al-RiyadhArabic newspaper all the militants arrested were Saudi nationals, aged between 17 and 30. He said questioning of militants already in custody had led to the arrests.
The kingdom, battling al-Qaeda after deadly bombings in May blamed on the group, announced the arrests yesterday and accused the men of planning more attacks on vital Saudi installations. Saudi authorities also seized weapons and explosives.
Three bombings in Riyadh in May killed 35 people, including nine Americans. The United States and Saudi Arabia blamed al-Qaeda for the attacks.
Saudi state television showed stocks of arms - including rocket-propelled grenades, and ammunition - and large amounts of chemicals it said could be used to make explosives.
It also showed surveillance cameras, bullet-proof vests, passports, forged identity cards and other equipment.
Before the May bombings, Saudi Arabia had issued a list of 18 suspected al-Qaeda militants. Prince Nayef said none of the 16 were on that list.