Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef said his country has foiled a terror attack on pilgrims in the holy city of Mecca after Saudi police shot dead two Muslim militants yesterday.
"These people are targeting the [holy Muslim] month of Ramadan. This is an evil aim. They wanted to make the entire country a place for terror without any exception and even in the holiest place on earth where Saudis and non-Saudis come to pray to God," he said.
Mr Nayef told the paper that during that clash, Saudi police had also arrested six other militants, believed to be linked to Saudi-born al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
He said police arrested four of the militants and two others handed themselves over. One of the four was wounded.
Asked if those arrested were al-Qaeda members, he said: "Without a doubt they all belong to the same group and are using the same methods."
The clash came just over a week after US and British authorities warned of a threat of attacks on Western targets in the kingdom during Ramadan, which started last Monday, and urged their nationals to avoid travelling to the country.