Saudi militants have chance to surrender: official

RIYADH – Militants fighting to bring down the government of the world’s top oil exporter will be spared if they surrender, Saudi Arabia’s interior minister said in comments published on Thursday.

Prince Nayef was speaking days after four militants surrendered as Saudi security forces besieged a building in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah. Clashes with al Qaeda supporters over the last three years have often resulted in deaths.

“We appreciate all those who respond to the security forces and we will deal with them on that basis, but those who do not respond and put the country in danger will get what they deserve,” Prince Nayef was quoted as saying in Okaz newspaper.

Officials say more than 136 militants and 150 foreigners and Saudis, including security forces, have died in attacks and clashes with police since May 2003, when suicide bombers hit three Western housing compounds in Riyadh.

The Saudi government is stating that the amnesty offer made by King Adbullah in June is still on the table.