Saudi Arabia says 23 Shiites wanted over rioting

Saudi Arabia has issued a list of 23 Shiites wanted on charges of instigating riots and clashes with security forces in the country's eastern oil-producing region.            

The Interior Ministry said Monday that the group served "foreign agendas," suggesting an alleged connection with Iran, the powerful Shiite nation across the Gulf that is regarded with deep suspicion by Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Arab nations.         

The ministry's statement said they instigated riots, disrupted traffic, destroyed public property, shot at police and used innocent people as human shields.           

Saudi Arabia has not seen unrest anywhere near the scale of the uprisings that have hit other Arab nations, but some protests have taken place in eastern areas home to the country's Shiite minority.                

Four people were shot dead and nine others were wounded during protests staged by Shiites demanding the release of imprisoned activist in the city of Qatif in October.          

Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz has blamed Iran for fomenting the occasional street protests since early last year. 
        
AP