Saudi Arabia identifies Jeddah bomber

A Pakistani national has been identified as the suicide bomber who blew himself up near the US consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia's interior ministry said on Tuesday.

Early on Monday, Abdullah Qalzar Khan was killed after he detonated a device near the consulate, injuying two securtiy officers.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Security personnel grew suspicious of Khan who was in the parking lot of a hospital near the building and approached him around 2:15 pm.

The suspect “blew himself up with a suicide belt inside the hospital parking” as the officers moved in to investigate, the ministry revealed in an earlier statement.

The US embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a statement after the attack, saying “there are no casualties or injuries among US Consulate staff.”

The embassy also urged Americans in the kingdom to "remain aware of their surroundings, and take extra precautions when travelling throughout the country".

The attack came on July 4, the same day that the US celebrates Independence Day.