U.S.
President Barack Obama declared tonight that authorities had uncovered a
"credible terrorist threat" following the discovery of US-bound
packages containing explosives aboard cargo jets.
Obama
said both had been addressed to Jewish organisations in the Chicago area.
The
events "underscore the necessity of remaining vigilant against
terrorism," the President said.
The
packages both originated in Yemen, but Mr Obama did not assign blame to al
Qaida, which is active in the Arab nation and has long made clear its goal of
attacking the United States.
The
events unfolded four days before national elections in which discussion of
terrorism has played almost no role.
Mr
Obama stepped to the podium in the hours after officials disclosed that
authorities in Dubai had intercepted an explosive device bound for a
Chicago-area Jewish institution.
The
second package was aboard a plane searched in England, and officials said it
contained a printer toner cartridge with wires and powder. Mr Obama did not
identify any institution that had been targeted.
Several
other cargo planes at airports along the Eastern Seaboard of the US were also
searched, and officials said no explosives were found. An Emirates Airlines
passenger jet carrying cargo from Yemen was escorted from the Canadian border
to New York City by two military fighter jets, US officials said. They said it
was a precautionary action.
An
FBI spokesman in Chicago, Ross Rice, said both suspicious packages had been
sent from the same address in Yemen.
The
President refrained from assigning blame to Yemen's al Qaida branch, but
officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said they were increasingly
certain that was the source. The same group was responsible for the attempted
bombing of a US-bound airliner last Christmas.
White
House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan later told reporters that the
explosives "were in a form that was designed to try to carry out some type
of attack," but he provided no further details.
"The
forensic analysis is under way," he said, adding: "Clearly from the
initial observation, the initial analysis that was done, the materials that
were found in the device that was uncovered were intended to do harm."
DHS
Statement on Increased Security Precautions: "As a precaution, DHS has
taken a number of steps to enhance security. Some of these security measures
will be visible while others will not. The public may recognize specific
enhancements including heightened cargo screening and additional security at
airports. Passengers should continue to expect an unpredictable mix of security
layers that include explosives trace detection, advanced imaging technology,
canine teams and pat downs, among others. As always, we remind the public to
remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement."
Official
TSA Statement on Suspicious Items Onboard Cargo Flights: "The
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is aware of and monitoring reports
of potentially suspicious items onboard cargo flights that landed safely at
Newark Liberty and Philadelphia International airports. Out of an abundance of
caution the planes were moved to a remote location where they are being met by
law enforcement officials and swept.”