Saudi Militants May Be Fighting in Iraq.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef has acknowledged for the first time that Saudi militants may have gone to neighboring Iraq to fight against the U.S.-led occupation force.

Previously, Saudi officials have vehemently denied fighters were leaving the oil-rich desert kingdom and close U.S. ally to fight in Iraq.

“Surely, there are Saudis (in Iraq),” the prince told reporters late Monday. “But the number, and how (they got in to Iraq) is not available to us now.”

Hundreds of such militants, the minister said, are detained in Saudi custody and some have been tried and convicted. He did not say how many were arrested or provide a number for those convicted, but Prince Nayef said more trials would be held.

Iraqi officials have repeatedly said Saudis were involved in the fighting in Iraq. On Monday, Iraq’s Human Rights Minister Bakhtiyar Amin said the government had 99 foreign fighters in detention, including 14 Saudis.

Prince Nayef said the Saudi government has not been officially notified of the detention of any Saudis in Iraq.

Saudi newspapers have published obituaries and news of funerals held by Saudi families for at least four Saudis said to have died fighting the U.S.-led occupation in Iraq.