Texas oil plants on terror alert

Oil refineries in the US state of Texas have been put on alert after the FBI warned of possible terror attacks.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said there were non-specific threats based on intelligence from overseas.

The information the agency passed on was "unconfirmed and uncorroborated", a spokeswoman said, adding that such advisories were common.

The FBI "continues to receive information from detainees and other sources," she said.

The US has captured suspected members of al-Qaeda and other militant organisations and is detaining them at camps around the world where they are questioned.

The Houston-area spokesman for the FBI, Bob Dogium, said there was no indication of an immediate or direct threat against any of the oil refineries.

He told the Texas City Sun: "Really, in the days after 9/11, the best weapon we have is communication."