Qaeda Leader In Saudi Mulls Surrender, Time Is Up

Meanwhile, Saudi sources told CNN International Friday, July 23, that more than 20 suspected militants turned themselves in during the final 24 hours before the month-long amnesty expired at midnight Thursday.

According to Al-Jazeera, 12 out of the 26 suspects included in the list of the most wanted militants are still on the run after turning their back to the royal amnesty.

"Mediators confirmed that Al-Oufi is willing to negotiate and they are optimistic about the results", Sheikh Safar Al-Hawali, who mediated between Saudi authorities and terror suspects, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"Negotiations with the other two suspects who are also on the 26 most-wanted list started over a month ago. They prefer to remain anonymous", Al-Hawali said Thursday, July 22.

Al-Oufi was reportedly involved in the latest shoot-out between security forces and militants in Riyadh, which took place Tuesday night.

Two suspects were killed in raids by police that also led to the discovery in a refrigerator of the head of US hostage Paul Johnson, kidnapped last month by suspected Al-Qaeda members.

The amnesty offer expired Thursday night, and the Interior Ministry confirmed earlier that the deadline will not be extended.

Last Chance

In statements carried out by the Saudi news agency, an Interior Ministry official has asserted that the "Ministry wishes to draw the attention that the generous amnesty issued by King Fahd was only hours away".

But the official added that there were still ongoing negotiations with some suspects in remote areas, pointing out that it was enough for them to express their readiness to surrender before the expiry of the deadline, then complete the paperwork later.

Al-Hawali, for his part, declared that the matter still needs some time to "convince them", adding every and each one who declares willingness to negotiate will be included in the amnesty deals.

"They will be included in the amnesty, regardless the time negotiations will take."

Many Saudi scholars have urged the runaway militants to consider laying down arms, turning a clean slate and making use of the amnesty.

One of the most prominent Saudi scholar has urged militants, in statements Monday, July 19, "to turn themselves in and make use of the two-month amnesty," warning against "mob means in facing the challenges countering Muslims.

Sheikh Abdel-Rahman Al-Sudeis, imam of the Holy Mosque of Makkah, was repeating the call he has been launching since the amnesty started.

"To all of those involved in violence and criminal acts, you should take up the chance and exploit the amnesty initiative."

The Saudi government announced the amnesty Tuesday, June 29, during which citizens could surrender unlicensed weapons without penalty.

Former Al-Qaeda leader in Saudi Arabia, Abdul Aziz Al-Muqrin and three henchmen, were shot dead by on June 18 after posting website photos of the American hostage they beheaded.

Saudi Arabia has witnessed a wave of anti-foreigners bombings and shootings since May last year.

On Monday, May 12, 2003, more than 90 people died, including up to 12 Americans, in car bombings blamed on Al-Qaeda that razed three expatriate compounds in the Saudi capital Riyadh.