at least 29 people were killed and nearly 200 people injured in anti-American suicide bombings in the capital Riyadh.
Powell told reporters in Riyadh that at least 10 Americans were among those killed in attacks on three compounds housing mostly Westerners and that the pro-Palestinian terrorist group al-Qa’ida was likely responsible for the violence.
The Voice of America (VOA) network quoted Saudi officials as saying that "assailants shot their way into the gated communities before setting off several cars packed with explosives." Reporters said the blasts ripped walls and roofs off several buildings and left burned-out cars and trucks smoldering in their parking spots.
Saudi police reportedly seized hundreds of kilos of explosives near one of the compounds last week. They said they were also searching for 19 men believed to be involved in terror plots in the kingdom amid growing opposition against the American presence in the region and the U.S.-led peace strategy to end years of Palestinian-Israeli fighting.
ROADMAP FOR PEACE
Powell, who visited Israel and Jordan to discuss his "Roadmap for Peace" in the troubled region, had earlier urged Palestinian and Israeli leaders to "get started" down the road map, as reports emerged of fresh violence linked to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, which supports Jewish people, quoted Israel Radio as saying that Palestinian gunmen left from Arafat’s compound and returned after having killed 53-year Zion David, a father of six, on Sunday, May 11.
Subsequent attacks in Saudi Arabia late Monday, May 12, seemed to underscore the difficulties ahead for Powell’s peace mission.
GUNFIRE HEARD
Several witnesses said they heard gunfire shortly before loud explosions rocked the compounds, just before midnight Monday. "Dozens of Americans were injured in the attacks and have been hospitalized," VOA quoted the U.S. ambassador in Riyadh, Robert Jordan, as saying.
Two weeks ago the United States renewed a travel warning for American citizens to avoid Saudi Arabia because of concerns regarding possible acts of terrorism, VOA said.
Saudi Arabia has a large community of expatriate workers, including about 30,000 Americans. Earlier this month, the State Department warned Americans against traveling to Saudi Arabia because of increased terrorism concerns.
