FBI Director concerned about Al-Qaeda using Pak, Afghanistan as sanctuary

Lahore, Oct. 02 (ANI): Top US security officials have expressed concern over terrorists brewing up plots to attack America from the Pak-Afghan border area.

"My greatest concern still is the ability of Al Qaeda to use Pakistan and Afghanistan as a sanctuary," The Daily Times quoted FBI Director Robert Mueller, as saying.

Mueller asked the Senate Homeland Security Committee to "renew the expiring provisions of the Patriot Act" as a remedy.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told the panel: Homeland security begins in many instances abroad, and particularly what happens in Pakistan and Afghanistan is a source for many of the threat streams that ultimately we are spending resources on, and there is an impact here in the homeland."

The director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, Michael Leiter, said that recent successes against Al Qaeda had put more ressure on the organisation, but had not deterred Qaeda's intent on attacking Western interests. (ANI)