DATE=7/28/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=SAUDI / SHOOTOUT (S)

NUMBER=2-305891

BYLINE=GREG LaMOTTE

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Six suspected Islamic militants have been killed following a shootout with Saudi police Monday that also resulted in the deaths of two policemen. VOA's Greg LaMotte has more on the clash from VOA's Middle East bureau in Cairo.

TEXT: A statement released by the interior ministry says the shootout occurred as the result of an anti-terror crackdown in Saudi Arabia.

The statement said Saudi police raided a farm where they believed the suspects were located. The farm is in al-Qassim, about 350 kilometers north of the capital, Riyadh.

According to the statement, police surrounded the farm and demanded the suspects surrender. Instead, a firefight ensued with the suspects using guns and hand grenades.

Four people, according to the interior ministry, were arrested for harboring the suspects.

The raid follows U-S calls for Saudi Arabia to crack down on suspected Islamic militants. A U-S congressional report last week accused Saudi Arabia of not doing enough to counter terrorism. (SIGNED)

NEB/GL/KL/FC