RIYADH - Saudi Arabia said this week that more than 200 Muslim militants arrested in a security clampdown belonged to the al Qaeda terrorist network and that it had handed over to the US at least three Americans suspected of terrorism links.

The country, birthplace of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, has been under pressure from ally Washington to destroy al Qaeda cells since the September 11, 2001 attacks on US cities. It intensified a crackdown on militants after deadly suicide bombings on Western compounds in Riyadh in May.

More than 200 people have been arrested since May and there have been several bloody clashes between police and militants.

"They are cells and investigations will show if they are linked but they all belong to al Qaeda," Interior Minister Prince Nayef said in remarks carried by the state news agency SPA last Tuesday.

He said American citizens suspected of terror links had been handed over to the US, but did not say if they were naturalized Americans or comment on their ethnic origin.

"We have handed over to the United States, American citizens we found and who are involved in matters which concern the United States and they are more than three," Prince Nayef said.

Asked if they had links to terrorism, he said: "Yes, that is what is said about them. They were arrested and handed over."

The prince did not say when they were arrested and handed over or if they had links to the Riyadh bombings, which killed 35 people including nine Americans, or the September 11 attacks - both blamed on the Islamic militant al Qaeda network.

The minister also said security forces had detained four armed men last Monday heading to the northern Saudi town of Arar near the Iraqi border and said they may be wanted militants.

"They had weapons and we believe they are among those wanted by authorities because they were trying to escape," he said, adding it was possible they were trying to cross into Iraq.

Washington believes some of those attacking US forces in Iraq enter from neighbouring Saudi Arabia, Iran and Syria.

Some Saudi analysts and clerics have said that the Saudi security clampdown was pushing militants to head to Iraq.

Prince Nayef said he could not rule out more attacks in Saudi Arabia and urged militants to turn themselves in.

(Agencies via Xinhua)