BAGHDAD (REUTERS) - An Iraqi Shi'ite militia said on Thursday it had fired six mortar bombs into Saudi Arabia's desert as a "warning message" to the kingdom to stop"interfering" in Iraqi affairs.

"The goal was to send a warning message to Saudis to tell them that their border stations and patrol are within our range of fire," Mr Wathiq al-Batat, commander of al-Mukhtar Army militia, told Reuters by telephone.

Mr Batat said the militia had also been angered by Saudis and Kuwaitis who he said had insulted the daughter of the Prophet Mohammad.