P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News Staff

JEDDAH, 15 October 2003 — Security forces on Monday detained four armed suspects who were heading for the northern town of Arar near the Iraqi border, Interior Minister Prince Naif has said.

“They had weapons, and we believe they are among those wanted by authorities because they were trying to escape,” he said, adding it was possible they were trying to cross into Iraq.

Talking to reporters after opening the human rights conference in Riyadh on Monday night, Prince Naif said he could not rule out more terror attacks in the Kingdom. He said Riyadh had handed over to the United States at least three Americans suspected of terror links.

“We have handed over to the US American citizens involved in matters which concern Washington, and they are more than three,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted him as saying. The prince did not say when they were arrested and handed over or if they were linked to the Riyadh bombings or the Sept. 11 attacks.

He said investigations into the Al-Hair prison fire, which claimed 67 lives, will be completed in a few days. “The government will take care of the families of prisoners who died in the incident,” he added.

The prison blaze took place Sept. 15 and officials ruled out any sabotage. Al-Hair, located 30 km south of the capital, is the largest reformatory in the Riyadh region, which houses some 14 others. Some 23 people were injured in the incident.

Prince Naif confirmed the arrest of two terror suspects in Riyadh and Qasim recently. He urged individuals wanted by police to surrender if they wanted their punishment reduced. “The cases of those who surrender will be looked at differently,” he added.

Saudi Arabia launched a nationwide campaign to clamp down on militants after deadly suicide bombings on Western compounds in Riyadh in May, which killed 35 people including nine bombers.

More than 200 people have been arrested since the Riyadh bombings and there have been several bloody clashes between police and militants.

Prince Naif highlighted the government’s efforts to stamp out terrorism. “There are still some terrorist elements. We have arrested some of them. They all belong to Al-Qaeda,” he said. The minister described reports of torture in Saudi jails as “falsifications and fabrications.” He said the private human rights organization, approved by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, will be established shortly. “It will be followed by the formation of the government human rights body,” he added.