<br/> In Saudi Arab, two al Qaeda-linked militants and a Saudi policeman were killed in a shootout at a checkpoint in the south of the kingdom yesterday.<br/> Saudi, Arab News quoting interior ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, has reported that a third militant was detained after the clash, which took place in an area near the border with Yemen. The spokesman said, the men belonged to the deviant group and had explosive belts, automatic weapons, grenades and material suspected to be ingredients for explosives. The shootout came at a time when clashes are continuing in northern Yemen between Shiite rebels and government forces.<br/> Last month, the Interior Ministry announced the arrest of 44 suspected militants linked to an Al-Qaeda cell. The militants sought to recruit young men and financed their activities with donations secured through charities.