SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Arabia said yesterday that a small bomb exploded in a car in Riyadh but caused no casualties or damages.
An Interior Ministry official said the car exploded while it was parked in front of a building in the Salam district, a residential area in the eastern part of the Saudi capital.
Police surrounded the blast site, preventing journalists and passers-by from reaching the area.
"It was a small blast, and the car was not stuffed with explosives, but we are investigating the incident," the official said.
Another official said the car belonged to a major in the security forces, adding that the blast appeared to have been timed to coincide with the Muslim prayers at dusk.
"Forensic experts are now investigating the car to find out what substance was used," he added.
A statement read out on Saudi state television said firefighters put out a fire which broke out in the vehicle.
Saudi Arabia is battling a wave of Muslim militant attacks aimed at westerners which are believed to be linked to the al-Qaeda network. At least 50 people have been killed in suicide attacks since May.
In November suspected al-Qaeda suicide bombers blew up a Riyadh compound using an explosives-laden car, killing 18 and injuring 122.
Saudi Arabia earlier this month arrested a suspect for the bombing, which occurred a day after the United States warned of terror attacks in the kingdom.
Britain on Sunday upgraded its advice for travel to Saudi Arabia, saying terrorist attacks it had warned of in the oil-rich Gulf state could be in the final stages of preparation.
London has repeatedly said it believed more attacks were planned in Saudi Arabia.
The travel advice followed a British newspaper report which said Saudi security forces had seized light aircraft packed with explosives, foiling a plot to blow up a western airliner. Saudi Arabia denied the report.