Some called on young Saudis to learn tolerance, while others strongly condemned the attacks on Americans and Westerners. Many pointed to an urgent need for reforms.

But some also said that US foreign policy had contributed to a feeling of anger against America in the region.

Riyadh resident Abdul Rahman Al-Nasser told Arab News he lived close to the Al-Hamra compound, one of three that were targeted last night. “I was shocked,” said Al-Nasser. “I thought the explosions were right outside in my backyard.”

“I went up to the roof and saw a large blaze and smoke rising into the sky. It was really devastating,” said Al-Nasser. He said there appeared to be considerable damage.

Al-Nasser was angry with those responsible for the bombings and said that there was no justification for killing innocent people.

“Regardless of who I am or what I believe, this is clearly wrong,” said Al-Nasser. “We are punishing innocent people who are not involved in anything.”

“I live only 2 km away from one of the compounds that was targeted,” another local, who asked to remain anonymous, told Arab News.

“I was in my bedroom and then suddenly the whole room — the windows, the doors — all shook from the blast. I went outside my house to see what had happened, and there were people running about. Then I saw the fire.”

He said that his brother-in-law lived in one of the compounds that was targeted, but “Thank God, he managed to escape without injury.”

Unlike others, he said he did not think these incidents were a reaction to the presence of American forces in the region.

He said that there is always a mixed reaction to such attacks and that there are some who continue to condone them, adding that he was extremely angered by people who harbor such a mentality. He blamed them for categorizing all Americans and people of Western descent or citizenship as the “enemy.”

“These people do not differentiate between the innocent and the guilty,” he said. “As a result, this will never stop.”

Abdul Kareem Al-Refai, a Saudi executive, felt the attack was unprecedented. “Such hatred against the US has never been seen in Saudi Arabia before,” he said.

Fahd Abdullah Al-Rajhi, a top banking executive, said he regretted the fact that there was still a section of Saudi society living pinched lives with limited employment opportunities. “But this does not mean that they should resort to violence,” he said.

“Disgruntled Saudis will have to change their attitude and they will have to learn as how to integrate themselves into the mainstream of society, especially in this era of globalization,” said Anees Al-Qedaihy, a local journalist.

Al-Qedaihy said that the Saudis will have to understand how to promote cosmopolitan culture and how to work closely with foreigners, both Asian and Westerners.

Mushtak Ahmad, a Pakistani executive, said: “Many ordinary Saudis, angry with a perceived US bias toward Israel, are also irked by the presence of Westerners.”

Despite recent strains, America still needs Saudi oil and still wants the Kingdom to play a moderating role in the Middle East and the Muslim world, according to Dr. Osman Taha. “The fact that the US-Saudi relationship weathered the storm of Sept. 11, 2001 is testament to the depth of strategic interests involved,” the doctor said. But he added that the situation in the Kingdom following the attack was a cause for concern.