Saudi Arabian car bombs 'linked'

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Experts have linked the two car bomb explosions which have killed one Briton and injured four others in Saudi Arabia, the UK Foreign Office said.

The Foreign Office has stepped up its security warnings to the 26,000 British citizens who live in the country "in light of the increased terrorist threat".

Similar crude devices were used in both last Friday's bomb which killed British engineer Christopher Rodway and injured his wife Jane, and Thursday's blast which injured a woman and two men.

Deputy Saudi Interior Minister Prince Ahmed bin Abdul-Aziz again denied the attacks were politically motivated.

It is feared that Britons have been targeted in retaliation for what is seen in the Arab World as western support for Israel in its conflict with the Palestinians.

Asked if the attacks were linked to the clashes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Prince Ahmed said: "There is no indication of that until now."

The Foreign Office spokesman added: "We have issued advice to the British community through a network of wardens to check their vehicles and exercise vigilance."

The Britons in the latest bombing worked for Al-Salam Aircraft Company in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, which is 50% owned by US aviation giant Boeing.

Saudi officials had said earlier they believed personal motives rather than terrorism were behind the blast which killed Rodway.

The blasts come five weeks after a bomb attack on the British embassy in Yemen.

Britons targeted in new Saudi bomb attack
November 23, 2000
Motive for Saudi blast remains a mystery
November 18, 2000

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