Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency, Al-Turki identified the militant as Oqail Omaish Oqail Al-Mutairy, adding that he would be dealt with in accordance with the system followed in such cases.

"Al-Mutairy expressed his desire to help him return to the Kingdom and surrender to authorities and we made arrangements for his return and reunion with his family on April 28," the spokesman said.

Al-Turki said the ministry would consider his initiative while looking into his case. He urged the remaining wanted militants to change their ways and surrender to security authorities quickly.

Last March Saudi security forces arrested 113 militants who were planning to carry out terrorist attacks on a number of targets inside the Kingdom.

The security forces had broken up three cells of Al-Qaeda militants, with one cell consisting of 101 people, and two smaller cells made up of six men each. The large cell comprised 47 Saudis and 51 Yemenis, as well as a Somali, a Bangladeshi and an Eritrean.

Al-Turki then said Al-Qaeda planned to carry out new terrorist attacks inside the Kingdom in October, targeting economic facilities and security officers while Saudi military and security forces were busy confronting Yemeni infiltrators in the south of the country.