Developments

• Saudi troops rescue oil hostages. Most of the 50 foreign hostages who were being held by militants at an oil workers' compound have now been freed, Saudi security officials have said. (Source: BBC)
• Saudis Storm Complex  (Source: Bloomberg)
• Saudi special forces in a daring raid captured seven militants and rescued about 50 hostages.  Raiders encountered booby-traps on three levels.  Commandos conducted heli-borne raid. (Fox News/MSNBC)
• Saudi commandos raid compound where hostages held.. Witnesses saw members of the special forces dropping from three twin-bladed military helicopters onto the roof of a building in the compound amid gunfire. (Reuters)
• Prince Bandar confirms rescue underway.  He said seven Americans rescued by Saudi security forces, two had been wounded.  Operations continuing.  (Fox News)
• There were conflicting reports on the number of casualties and hostages. Security officials said between 45 and 60 people were being held hostage, and reports indicated that they included American, British, Egyptian, Philippine, Italian, Lebanese, Swiss and Saudi citizens. (Source: Washington Post)
• Arab Petroleum Investments Corp (Apicorp) says three employees killed earlier in the day. (Source: Reuters)
• 'Al-Qaeda' claims triple attacks in Saudi oil centre.. "The heroic mujahedeen in the Jerusalem Squad were able, by the grace of God, to raid the locations of American companies ... specializing in oil and exploration activities and which are plundering the Muslims' resources, on Saturday morning." The authenticity of the statement could not be verified. (Source: Channel News Asia)
• Crown Prince Abdullah said citizens and security forces must work as one to stamp out terrorism. "This corrupt and deviant group must be eliminated.. "This deviant group says they want to scare away foreigners but the foreigners have come here to serve the country. In fact we brought them here and they are under our protection."  (Source: Arab News)
• Saudi Ambassador to the US condemned the attack and said, "The terrorists' goal is to disrupt the Saudi economy and destabilize our country. But they will not succeed. With every desperate act of violence, our effort and resolve to destroy the terrorists only grows." (Source: Yahoo)
• Ex-pats fearful over Khobar raid..  "The Saudi security forces are doing a very good job given the circumstances - the expat compounds are pretty well guarded by security troops. But we have to consider whether we should come back to the UK or stay."  (Source: BBC)
• The assault on compounds housing the expatriates was likely to rattle oil markets and dent confidence in the kingdom's grip on security as it battles militants loyal to Saudi-born al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. (Source: Reuters)

Related Reporting

• Saudi Troops Rescue Oil Hostages (BBC)
• Saudis Storm Complex; Seven Americans Reported Freed (Bloomberg)
• Saudi Commandos Raid Compound Where Hostages Held (Reuters)
• Shooting subsides at hostage site (The Australian)
• Gunfire heard in hostage drama (The Australian)
• Bloodbath in Alkhobar (Arab News)
• Dozens of Foreigners Taken Hostage (Washington Post)
• Gunmen Attack Foreign Oil Offices in Saudi Arabia (Bloomberg)
• 'Al-Qaeda' claims triple attacks in Saudi oil centre (Channel News Asia)
• We'll Wipe Out Terrorists, Says Abdullah (Arab News)
• Saudi Ambassador Condemns Attacks in Al-Khobar (Yahoo)
• Ex-pats fearful over Khobar raid (BBC)

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