Amman: Blasts targeting foreigners' residential compounds in Riyadh overnight had "the earmarks of al- Qaida", US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on May 12, condemning the explosions which killed at least three people and wounded some 50.

"I think it's just part of al-Qaida and other terrorist organisations' willingness to kill innocent people in order to push forward a criminal agenda, a terrorist agenda that very often has no purpose, has no meaning other than to strike out in rage," Powell said.

Asked who was behind the suicide attacks, Powell said, "I don't know yet, I think the suspects are clear though, it has the earmarks of al-Qaida."

In Riyadh, the Saudi Interior Minister said the blasts were carried out by suicide bombers linked to the al- Qaida terror network.

"These explosions were suicide bombings, which are unprecedented in the kingdom," and are linked to the terror cell uncovered in Riyadh last week and said to belong to al-Qaida, Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz told the daily 'Okaz'.

Powell, who was in Amman (Jordan) as part of a Middle East tour, which is also scheduled to take him to Saudi Arabia, said, "I condemn the terrorist attacks that took place in Saudi Arabia overnight, I condemn the cowardly individuals who sneaked in the middle of the night to kill innocent civilians."

In Canberra, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said, "Our impression is that it is likely to be an al-Qaida operation, particularly as there has been some forewarning of a possible al-Qaida attack in Saudi Arabia."

Agencies