RAYADH, Dec. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- At least one gunman was killed by Saudi security forces when US consulate in the Red Sea city of Jeddah came under attack Monday, the Dubai-based al-Arabiya TV reported.

    Another two attackers were arrested after they exchanged fire with security guards inside the US mission compound.
According to US Embassy spokesperson Carol Kalin, all US diplomats have been accounted for and there was no word on US
casualties.

    The attack started early Monday with gunshots and explosions. Four Saudi security guards have been killed and 18 local consulate staff taken hostage by the attackers, earlier reports said.

    The area has been cordoned off by security forces. Violence has surged in the kingdom since last May, during which
militants with alleged links to al-Qaida have staged several bombing attacks against western targets and dozens of foreigners have been killed. Enditem