Authorities in Saudi Arabia say a wanted militant suspected of links to al-Qaida has surrendered.

The interior ministry said Fawaz al-Otaibi gave himself up after telling his parents that he wanted to return to his home country. The accused militant was reported to be in hiding in Iran.

Otaibi is among more than 80 top Saudi and Yemeni militants wanted by Saudi authorities.

His surrender comes less than a week after another wanted militant said he wanted to surrender, but instead blew himself up in an assassination attempt against the country's anti-terrorism chief.

Saudi Deputy Interior Minister Prince Muhammad bin Nayef was receiving visitors at his home last Thursday when a bomber detonated his explosives. Al-Qaida identified the militant who blew himself up as Abdullah al-Asiri. The prince was lightly wounded in the attack.

The White House called the assassination attempt a "cowardly" attack that underscores the continued threat posed by al-Qaida.


Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.