French police check trains after security threat

PARIS, Aug 8 (Reuters) French authorities stepped up security on trains in eastern France after receiving indications of a possible ''terrorist threat'', officials said today.

Trains between Luxembourg and the Swiss city of Basel were under particular observation as police and personnel from French rail operator SNCF conducted checks throughout the day, an official at the prefecture of the Haut Rhin department said.

Authorities ''received information that there may be actions related to terrorist threats,'' the official said.

''There have been identity controls in the trains, checking baggage and general dissuasion on the ground,'' said Yann Jounot, another official whose responsibilities include security around the eastern city of Metz, adding that no arrests had been made.

France's TF1 television said four Iranians and an Afghan were being sought. No comment was immediately available from the Interior Ministry.

Reuters AB VP0007