Saudi security forces have arrested al Qaeda members suspected of planning to carry out attacks during the current haj pilgrimage, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television said on Friday.  The television quoted an unnamed security official as saying the suspects aimed to cause "security confusion" during the pilgrimage, in which more than 2.5 million Muslims are taking part.

They were arrested in various cities in the kingdom days before the start of the pilgrimage on Monday, the official was quoted as saying. The report did not say how many were being held.