Saudi diplomat shot dead in Yemen capital Sanaa

A Saudi diplomat and his bodyguard have been shot dead in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, officials say.

Gunmen opened fire on the diplomat's car, causing it to flip over, security officials said.
Arabic broadcaster al-Arabiya said the gunmen were dressed as members of the security services.
Saudi Arabia is deeply involved with its unstable and impoverished southern neighbour. Yemen is battling Islamist militants with US assistance.

"Gunmen opened fire at the Saudi diplomat's car in a neighbourhood in southern Sanaa, killing him and his Yemeni bodyguard," a Yemeni security official was quoted by Reuters as saying.
He said the diplomat was the assistant military attache at the Saudi embassy.
Saudi Arabia has been battling al-Qaeda-inspired militants and it is well known that supporters of the Islamist group are exploiting the lawlessness in Yemen to set up bases there.
Correspondents say a number of Saudi jihadists are believed to have crossed the border to join al-Qaeda and similar groups in southern Yemen.
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia's deputy consul in Yemen was kidnapped by al-Qaeda.