DATE=11/08/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=SAUDI/BLASTS (S)

NUMBER=2-309602

BYLINE=JAMES MARTONE

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: In Saudi Arabia, three explosions rocked a residential compound in western Riyadh around midnight. Reports quote witnesses as saying there are many injured, including children. The explosions come one day after the United States warned of possible terror attacks. James Martone has more from V-O-A's Middle East Bureau in Cairo.

TEXT: Reports say one large explosion and two smaller ones shook the Muhaya residential compound in a suburb of the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia's official press agency says the explosions were the work of terrorists.

Hadani El Fadaqli, a director of the Muhaya compound where the blast occurred, told the Arabic TV station, al-Arabiya, that mostly Arab families lived on the compound, but there were also some Italians and Germans living there.

//FADAQLI IN ARABIC, FADE UNDER''

I was in my office, she says, it was a huge explosion. She said it appeared there were many wounded, including children.

The explosion came a day after the United States ordered its diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia closed, citing credible information that terror attacks were imminent. (SIGNED)

NEB/JM/TW