Three die in clashes in Saudi oil city

RIYADH - Two suspected militants and a policeman were killed in clashes in the eastern oil city of Dammam on Sunday, security sources said.

One of the suspected militants died during a daytime gunfight in the city on the kingdom's east coast and a second died later of his wounds in hospital.

The Interior Ministry has not yet released their names and it was not clear if they were on published government lists of wanted men connected to an Islamist rebellion.

A policeman died hours later in a shoot-out at a house where security forces said a third suspect was hiding. Thirteen policemen were wounded in the gunfight late on Sunday night.

The world's top oil exporter has been battling for more than two years against a wave of al Qaeda violence, in which 91 foreign and Saudi civilians have been killed.

Last month, Saudi security forces killed al Qaeda's top leader in the country, Saleh al-Awfi -- one of a few fugitives remaining on a list of 26 most wanted militants. In June, officials issued a new list of 36 wanted suspects.

- REUTERS