Saudi Arabia is to try five Britons detained in connection with a bombing campaign, the interior minister said.

Speaking to the Saudi Okaz newspaper, Prince Nayef said: "Their case is now before the judiciary."

Alexander Mitchell, James Cottle, Les Walker and James Lee and a fifth unnamed Briton are to stand trial for bombings that occurred in the capital Riyadh in the last two years.

Prince Nayef's comments are the first official confirmation that the men, plus a Canadian and a Belgian, will face a trial over allegations that they orchestrated a series of explosions in the Kingdom.

Solitary confinement

If convicted, the men could be beheaded under Saudi's Islamic law.

The men's lawyers say they are being kept in solitary confinement but have not been charged with anything.

In interviews broadcast on state-run television last year, four of the British men confessed to involvement in the attacks, carried out in November and December 2000 and in March 2001.

A Briton was killed in one explosion and several people were injured in the bombings.

Diplomats in Riyadh and Saudi newspapers said at the time that the attacks were linked to alcohol trafficking - selling and drinking alcohol is strictly forbidden in Saudi Arabia.