Saudi forces kill 2 suspected militants

The interior ministry also said three more suspects were wounded and arrested in the clashes in a residential district of Riyadh after security men stormed a house suspected of being used by extremists.

The incident was the first since July 1, when police said one of the kingdom's most wanted men was killed in a shootout, and the second since King Fahd declared an amnesty for militants to turn themselves in or face a harsh crackdown.

The security forces were "surprised by sustained fire from various weapons including bombs and mortar shells. Replying, they killed two (suspects) and wounded three others who were arrested," a ministry spokesman said in a statement.