ABU DHABI ø Saudi Arabia has arrested at least 300 people in the aftermath of massive unrest in the port city of Jedda.

Saudi authorities said thousands of young people rampaged in Jedda during the Id El Fitr holiday on Monday. They said thousands of young men blocked a main thoroughfare in Jedda and began attacking women and families along the beach.

It was not clear whether the rampage was the work of Islamic fundamentalists or hooligans. Jedda is regarded as the most liberal city in Saudi Arabia and a leading vacation spot.

Many of the attackers donned masks so they could not be identified. Authorities said the attackers refused police orders to disperse.

Saudi authorities restored order and clamped a curfew in downtown Jedda. Officials said many of the attackers escaped. They said those arrested face severe punishment.

"Every miscreant will be given deterrent punishment even if their numbers are in the thousands," Saudi security chief Lt. Gen. Asaad Abdul Kareem Al Fareeh said.

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