Saudi blast injures Briton

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- A Briton badly injured by a bomb blast in Saudi Arabia is the third British expatriate to be targeted in such an attack in the past month.

In the latest attack, a man was severely injured when a small parcel placed near the windshield of his car exploded.

Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted an official security source as saying that the parcel, which looked like a carton of juice, exploded in the man's hand as he attempted to remove it.

The victim was identified as David Brown from Scotland, who was employed by Coca Cola International.

He was accompanied by his wife at the time of the incident but she was not injured.

He said that the man suffered severe injuries in his right hand and other parts of his body, but described his condition as "stable" and "not life-threatening".

British Foreign Office minister Peter Hain refused on Saturday refused to speculate on why Britons had been targeted in the bombing campaign.

"It is very serious, but I don't want to speculate on who is responsible," Hain said after the latest attack.

"British nationals generally have a very happy co-existence with local people. Their presence is valued. Their business activities in the main are valued," Hain said.

Hain said British authorities had issued special advice on extra security, especially on cars, to ensure people remained vigilant.

One Briton was killed when his car exploded in the Saudi capital on November 17. Four days later, three Britons and an Irish woman were injured.

Saudi Arabia said earlier that it had arrested a U.S. national in connection with the two bomb attacks in Riyadh last month.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Saudi Arabian car bombs 'linked'
November 24, 2000
Britons targeted in new Saudi bomb attack
November 23, 2000

Saudi Arabia Information Resource
British Embassy in Riyadh

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