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The suicide car bombing of the Riyadh compound set off fires that burned through the night

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Ambulances rushed to the scene of the blast which killed 17 people, including five children

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Rescuers searched through the debris as Saudi officials said the attack bore the hallmarks of al-Qaeda .

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The Saudi security forces immediately sealed off the area

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As dawn came the extent of the damage and losses became clearer

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Residents looked in disbelief wondering why the compound was targeted

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A shell-shocked resident of the complex took a mobile phone photo of the rubble of his neighbour's house

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The bombing was condemned by leaders around the world, who said killing innocent civilians was against Muslim teaching