Saudis post most-wanted list

Separately, an American and a Briton have been detained by Saudi authorities in Jiddah, the US and British embassies said yesterday, but embassy officials said they did not know the reason.

A US envoy declined to say whether the new restrictions on diplomats' movements were in response to a specific terrorist threat. Saudi security forces have increased protection of the Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter, an area of about five square miles west of the city, since suicide bombers attacked three housing compounds for foreigners in the capital on May 12.

The Saudi government yesterday published the names and photographs of its 26 most-wanted people, alleging they were "connected to the terrorist events in the kingdom over the past months." The list comprised one Yemeni citizen, two Moroccans, and 23 Saudis.

The Interior Ministry said it was offering a reward of $267,000 to information leading to the arrest of one of the 26 wanted. The reward would rise to $1.9 million for actions that foil an attempted terrorist attack.