Shooting, fire at US mission in Jeddah
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-12-06 17:34

Gunfire broke out around the U.S. consulate in the Saudi city of Jeddah on Monday and a fire erupted in the building, witnesses said.

"I heard a heavy exchange of fire," one bystander told Reuters. Flames could be seen and two black plumes of smoke were rising from the building.

Around 200 police and national guards sealed off the area around the U.S. mission in the Red Sea city. Alarms could be heard sounding from the building.

Shooting broke out for a second time shortly afterwards. It was not immediately known if it was an attack by Muslim militants seeking to drive Westerners out of the kingdom.

"We have an emergency case," an official inside the building told Reuters. He gave no details.

Saudi Arabia has been battling a wave of al Qaeda violence since May last year which has targeted foreigners and security forces.

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