Top Saudi al-Qaida militant killed in Riyadh: police

Top militant of the Saudi wing of al-Qaida terror network was killed in a shootout in eastern Riyadh Wednesday, police said.

According to the police, Abdullah Mohammed Rashid al-Rashud was among the most wanted suspects in the kingdom.

Another militant and one policeman were also killed in the heavy exchange of gunfire between Saudi security forces and Islamic militants in the eastern part of the city, witnesses said.

Helicopters were seen hovering over the al-Quds area, where two vehicles which had been used by the militants were destroyed.

There has been anti-Western violence in the kingdom while the extremists launched a series of bombings in Riyadh. Some 90 people have been killed and hundreds of others injured in the past 13 months.

Last week, Saudi King Fahd offered a government amnesty for militants who surrender within one month.

Under the amnesty, which guaranteed personal safety for those who repent, the state would drop all charges, while reserving the right of individuals harmed by terror acts to either seek redress through the courts or waive any claims.