KSA raises security at foreign embassies after terror threats

Britain and Australia said on Monday that terrorists were planning attacks in Saudi Arabia in the near future, a day after a US move to temporarily shut missions in the country pushed oil prices to record levels.

The spate of warnings over possible militant strikes came just days into the reign of newly enthroned King Abdullah bin Abdel Aziz over the world's top oil exporter, which has been battling Islamist violence for two years.

A Saudi official who did not wish to be named told AFP that "let them issue the warnings they want, as for us we have our own procedures that we follow in order to confront and prevent any terrorist operation."

Officers, backed by military vehicles, enforced strict security measures at foreign residential compounds and the diplomatic neighbourhood where most western embassies and their staff reside in Riyadh, an AFP correspondent said.

The US, British and Australian embassies are located within the heavily-protected diplomatic neighbourhood.

Heavily-armed soldiers manned two checkpoints at the entrance of the Hay al-Wahidain, the diplomatic neighbourhood, to check vehicles and identity cards of passengers.

"Security has been heightened at the diplomatic neighbourhood ... and this usually takes places after security warnings of terrorist acts," said an Arab diplomat who did not wish to be identified.