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Saudi hostages' throats slit
30/05/2004 11:22 - (SA)
Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia - Saudi special forces rescued 25 hostages on Sunday when they stormed a building where suspected al-Qaeda militants had already slit the throats of nine people, a survivor told AFP.
Among the dead were seven Asians, a Swede and an Italian, said Nijar Hijazin, who had himself been taken hostage at the housing compound in the kingdom's Eastern Province on Saturday.
"The nine had their throats cut by the kidnappers when they tried to escape at night by the stairs," Hijazin told AFP watching the removal of bodies.
Hijazin, a Jordanian computer engineer, said he was rescued along with 24 fellow hostages and brought out by the roof.
Sporadic shooting had been heard from inside the apartment block after helicopters landed some 40 troops on the roof amid gunfire from automatic weapons just before 05:30.
Shots had rung out throughout the night, including an intense volley three hours earlier, however calm returned by about 07:00, the correspondent said.
Al-Arabiya television reported the leader of the militants captured, although there was no official confirmation.
In Washington, Saudi ambassador Prince Bandar bin Sultan said seven US hostages had been rescued by Saudi forces.
- AFP
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