US air security alert to red for first time

Washington, Aug 10: The US government raised the security alert on passenger planes to its highest level for the first time today after Britain said it had foiled a plot to blow up flights to the United States.

The US Department of Homeland Security also barred passengers from carrying liquids, including beverages, hair gels and lotions, aboard planes. It said travelers in both countries should expect long delays.

Homeland Security said it took an unprecedented step by raising the threat level for commercial flights originating in the United Kingdom to ''severe,'' or red.

The threat level for all other commercial aircraft operating in or destined for the United States would be raised to ''high,'' or orange, from ''elevated,'' or yellow, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in a statement.

The threat level for the country as a whole remained at yellow, according to the department's Web site.

A US intelligence official said authorities believe the plot involved sophisticated liquid explosives that were to have been carried on to aircraft, with battery triggers possibly stored in alarm clocks, laptop computers and calculators.

A British police source said the plot was believed to involve a ''liquid chemical'' device.

''Over the last few hours, British authorities have arrested a significant number of extremists engaged in a substantial plot to destroy multiple passenger aircraft flying from the United Kingdom to the United States,'' a statement released by the Homeland Security said.

A US official who asked not to be further identified said United Airlines, Continental Airlines and American Airlines had been specifically targeted for attack.

TRANSATLANTIC THREAT

British police said they had thwarted a plot to blow up aircraft in mid-flight between Britain and the United States and were holding 21 people in the plot. The arrests were made in the London and Birmingham areas.

In response, Britain's security services raised its threat level to ''critical'' from ''severe,'' the highest of its five ratings, suggesting ''an attack is expected imminently.'' ''Currently, there is no indication ... of plotting within the United States,'' Chertoff said. ''We believe that these arrests have significantly disrupted the threat, but we cannot be sure that the threat has been entirely eliminated or the plot completely thwarted.'' ''Due to the nature of the threat revealed by this investigation, we are prohibiting any liquids, including beverages, hair gels, and lotions from being carried on the airplane,'' the statement said.

''Travelers should also anticipate additional security measures within the airport and at screening checkpoints,'' it said. The changes took effect at 1330 hrs (IST).

Chertoff, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and FBI Director Robert Mueller planned a 1739 GRS (IST) news conference in Washington.

Stock markets in Europe were lower in response to the security scare, led by European airline shares. British Airways shares were down 4.8 per cent in morning trading.

REUTERS

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