"As a prudent measure, we are advising American citizens to remain at home until we can ascertain the facts and the nature of any ongoing threat. We understand that the American school in Riyadh will be closed tomorrow," a State Department official told United Press International late Monday.
Secretary of Colin Powell, who is scheduled to arrive in Riyadh later this week for talks with Saudi official on the U.S. "road map" to peace in the Middle East, also is expected to go ahead with the planned visit.
"There have been no changes in the secretary's travel plans at this time," the State Department said.
Powell has already visited Israel, the West Bank, Egypt and Jordan.
"We are deeply concerned about the reports of explosions in Riyadh," said the State Department official, adding: "At this time we are working closely with Saudi authorities to determine facts. Saudi authorities are investigating these reported incidents."
At least four explosions rocked the Saudi capital around midnight Monday, targeting U.S. interests including a residential compound occupied by U.S. and other Western nationals, Saudi authorities said.
Cars packed with explosives were used for causing all four blasts, witnesses said.
Police said several people were injured in the blasts but did not say how many.
Al-Arabia Saudi television station initially reported two explosions, but authorities later confirmed at least two more major blasts.
CNN, quoting unnamed U.S. officials, reported that the blast could have been caused by al-Qaida terrorist network. No other source confirmed this report.
The target -- Riyadh's Western Compound -- is located in the city's eastern Garnata sector. "I can see smoke billowing into the sky from the bombed compound," an al-Arabia correspondent reported from the scene. "Ambulances and security personnel are rushing to the scene. I've counted at least 30 ambulances," he said, adding that the blasts shattered glass storefronts in a wide area.
He quoted witnesses as saying that they also heard a series of smaller blasts from inside the compound. These were apparently caused by hand-grenades tossed by armed men who stormed the compound and engaged in clashes with security forces, the report said.
Last week, Saudi authorities reported uncovering a terrorist network. They also seized a large cache of arms and ammunition from a hideout in an undisclosed area.
They also reported they sought 19 alleged terrorists who escaped after an armed shootout.
Monday's blasts follow a warning issued by the U.S. State Department earlier this month advising Americans to avoid travel to Saudi Arabia because of increased terrorism concerns.
Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Osama bin Laden, who headed the al-Qaida terror network that caused the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. He is still believed to have sympathizers in this oil-rich nation.
At least 19 Americans were killed when a truck crashed into the Khobar Towers barracks in the Saudi city of Dhahran in 1996.
Last week, the Pentagon announced that it was withdrawing most of the 5,000 U.S. troops still based in Saudi Arabia. The troops are expected to move to other bases in the Persian Gulf area by the end of summer.
Bin Laden and his supporters exploit the presence of U.S. troops in the country, which is the birthplace of Islam, to stir anti-American feelings across the Islamic world.
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