Saudi Arabia said on Saturday it had handed over 19 Yemenis detained on security charges to Yemen, in the latest of a series of extraditions between the two states which are both fighting al Qaeda militants. A ministry statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency said the 19 had been held in various security cases, but did not say when they were repatriated or give details. The last such extradition was in May 2004, when Riyadh handed over 14 Yemenis and received one Saudi national.

The two Arab states have seen a spate of attacks, largely blamed on Saudi-born Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network. They have increased security co-operation in fighting militants and the smuggling of arms across their long border.

Copyright Reuters, 2005