Saudi Arabia arrests 19 in connection to Medina and Qatif suicide blasts

Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday the arrest of 19 individuals, including seven Saudis and 12 Pakistanis, in connection to Medina and Qatif suicide blasts earlier this week, Saudi Press Agency reported.

A suicide bomber detonated himself on Monday in a hospital parking lot in Jeddah as security personnel approached him after he aroused their suspicion. The bomber died instantly, and two security personnel were slightly wounded.

Also on Monday, a suicide bomber caused a blast near Prophet Mohammed's mosque in the Saudi city of Medina killed four police officers and seriously injured four others.

Meanwhile, in Qatif, an eastern city that is home to many members of the Shi'ite minority, two explosions struck near a Shi'ite mosque, as only the bomber died in the attack.

The Saudi interior ministry said the suicide bomber of the blast in Medina was a 26-year-old Saudi man, who was arrested before in connection to drug case.

The ministry also named three individuals it said carried

out attacks in Qatif. Endit