The leader of al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia has been killed in a gun battle in the holy city of Medina, local security forces claim.
An Interior Ministry statement said security forces had also killed three other militants and arrested at least ten in a series of raids in the capital Riyadh and in Medina.
An undated handout photograph of Al-awfi released by the Saudi Information Ministry today
The clash in Medina happened just hours before a visit by newly crowned King Abdullah.
Saleh al-Awfi, believed to have taken over leadership of al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia last year, was one of a few fugitives remaining on a list of most wanted militants in the world's top oil producer.
State television said Awfi and another militant had been hiding in a residential area near the venerated Mosque of the Prophet, site of the tomb of Mohammad.
As crown prince, King Abdullah had spearheaded the battle against al-Qaeda, which since May 2003 has staged suicide bombings and attacks against foreigners with the aim of toppling the pro-US monarchy and expelling westerners from the birthplace of Islam.
Analysts said the accession of King Abdullah, a pious figure popular with his conservative Muslim subjects, could increase public support for the battle against al-Qaeda which depends on the sympathy of ordinary Saudis.