Saudi Arabia has detained some 172 suspected members of "terrorist" cells, the state television reported on Friday.

Interior Ministry spokesman General Mansur al-Turki was quoted as saying that the detained suspects of "terrorists" include Saudi nationals and foreigners.

Meanwhile, the ministry confirmed in a statement that police have seized large amounts of money in the raids, while the suspected "terrorists" were arrested.

The TV channel also broadcast footage of the large quantity of weapons that were discovered buried in the desert, which included brickettes of plastic explosives, ammunition cartridges, handguns and rifles.

The ministry accused the detained militants of being training as pilots to carry out suicide attacks on targets including on oil installations and military base, according to the TV report.
 
Al-Turki told the state television that "seven cells from the 'deviant group' made up of around 172 Saudis and non-Saudis were arrested. Weapons, money and documents were also seized."

"The deviant group is linked to foreign elements and takes advantage of trouble spots outside the kingdom in planning, recruitment and training," he added.

Militants loyal to al-Qaida have launched a violent campaign to topple the Saudi monarchy since 2003, carrying out suicide bomb attacks on foreigners and government installations, including the oil industry.

Since then the Saudi authorities have taken tough security measures and a wide publicity campaign against "terrorists" to curb the violence in the country.

(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2007)