RIYADH, Aug 6: Saudi security forces captured on Thursday night Fares bin Ahmed bin Shwail al-Zahrani, a top figure on a 26-man list of most-wanted suspects in the kingdom.

Zahrani, 27, surrendered to police 'without putting up any resistance' in a park in the southern resort city of Abha following a chase of several hours, the announcement said.

Only 11 extremists - nine Saudis and two Moroccans - on the list now remain at large as others have either been killed in clashes with security forces or surrendered to authorities in recent months.

A security source told daily Arab News that Zahrani carried a hand grenade at the time of his arrest, but did not use it. Zahrani was with another person, whose identity was not disclosed, when he was picked up.

The police, following a tip-off, had been closely monitoring Zahrani's movements since he entered the city about 24 hours before his arrest. The arrest was made on the Ring Road. No one was injured in the operation.

Zahrani is said to be one of the most prominent ideologues of Al Qaeda. He is married and has two children. He graduated from the Shariah College of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University's Abha branch. According to some reports, Zahrani was also wanted in a case of embezzlement.

AGENCIES ADD: Zahrani spurned a one-month amnesty offered to militants by King Fahd on June 23. Sheikh Safar al-Hawali, a mediator between the authorities and the militants, told AFP on Friday that Zahrani was "one of those contacted to negotiate their surrender".