"Three missiles fell in northwestern kingdom and the fourth in the west of Raas Mishaab in unpopulated areas," the news agency said, quoting an official source of the Saudi Defense Ministry.

"No damage was caused by the missiles," the source was quoted assaying.

The Saudi government has lodged an official protest to the United States for the matter, the source said, reaffirming that the kingdom will not participate in the ongoing US-led war on Iraq in any form.

The United States has expressed regret for the inadvertent and mistaken event, and also reportedly decided to stop its missile attacks against Iraq over Saudi airspace.

Defying international opposition, the United States and Britain launched a war on Iraq on March 20, in a bid to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Iraq has denounced the invaders as "criminals" and "villains," while urging the international community to stop the "aggression" unconditionally.

(Xinhua News Agency March 30, 2003)