JEDDAH, 15 December 2005 — Saudi security forces have seized large quantities of explosives and chemicals at a villa in Riyadh, newspapers reported yesterday.
Home-made bombs, weapons, chemical products, computers and leaflets inciting violence were among the items seized, Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported, citing an unnamed security source.
Police also found materials used for making explosives as well as computers, another report said.
The two-floor villa is located on Shakir ibn Abubakar Street in King Faisal District. Witnesses said security forces cordoned off the area from 3 to 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman of the Interior Ministry, commended a Saudi citizen for informing police about the villa.
“It seems some of the deviants have been using the villa as their hideout for about five months,” said Al-Turki.
Earlier this month, the ministry announced the arrest of 17 militants suspected of belonging to the Al-Qaeda network during raids in Riyadh, Al-Kharj to the south and Al-Majmaa to the north.
Saudi Arabia has launched successful campaigns against Al-Qaeda militants blamed for a series of bombings and shootings across the country since May 2003. According to official figures, at least 90 civilians, 50 security personnel and 121 militants have died since the unrest began.
