Bush urges US back to work

Normality may be elusive as thousands remain buried under rubble

President George Bush has urged Americans to return to work and put the economy back on track six days after the devastating airborne suicide attacks on New York and Washington.

Speaking on the White House lawn after discussions with top advisers at the Camp David presidential retreat, Mr Bush also pledged a long crusade "to rid the world of evil-doers" which officials said could span 60 countries.

This crusade, this war on terrorism, is going to take a long time

President Bush

Stock markets will reopen in New York on Monday for the first trading since the collapse of the World Trade Center which left more than 5,000 people either dead or unaccounted for.

Mr Bush and his officials also stressed repeatedly that any state harbouring terrorists would face the "full wrath" of American military might.

In other developments:

• Two more people detained as "material witnesses", taking the number of people arrested in the investigation so far to four
• NY Stock Exchange prepares for opening bell at 0933 (1333 GMT) on Monday after two minutes' silence and chorus of God Bless America
• US Attorney-General John Ashcroft asks Congress for stronger anti-terrorism laws, including wider phone-tapping powers
  
  

  Wall Street will reopen for business on Monday
  
• Pakistan sends a delegation to Afghanistan to persuade the Taleban to hand over Osama Bin Laden, the Saudi-born militant who is Washington's prime suspect
• Mr Bin Laden issues his first direct denial of involvement in the attacks
• Afghan citizens flee built-up areas fearing imminent US air attacks
• The US Postal Service ends a ban of foreign mail and packages that began after the attacks
• New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani reports that 180 bodies have now been recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, while 5,097 people remain missing

Twin track

The BBC Washington correspondent says Mr Bush had two messages on Sunday: One was of confidence in the American people and the other was directed to those behind Tuesday's attacks.

Bush unveils an ambitious plan to "root out terrorists"

"My administration is determined to find, to get them running and to hunt them down, those who did this to America. They have roused a mighty giant," he said.

The administration is hoping that Monday morning will bring a restoration of morale, although the possibility of further slides in stock market prices could herald on onset of recession in the US economy.

"People will be amazed at how quickly we rebuild New York, how quickly people come together," Mr Bush said.

Earlier Mr Bush's senior officials spread out across the Sunday TV chat shows programmes making threats against governments which, in the American assessment, continued to harbour terrorist organisations.

I have great faith in the resiliency of our economy

President George Bush

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Washington would lead "a large multi-headed effort" against perceived terrorist networks in up to 60 countries, including the United States".

Vice-President Dick Cheney said: "If you provide sanctuary to terrorists, you face the full wrath of the United States of America. We will in fact aggressively go after these nations."

Threat to Taleban

Mr Bin Laden issued a statement on Sunday denying any involvement in the attacks.

Osama Bin Laden: Denies responsibility

"The US is pointing the finger at me but I categorically state that I have not done this," he was quoted as saying by the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news agency.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell has meanwhile welcomed Pakistan's decision to allow the US full co-operation, possibly including the use of its airspace.

Mr Bush has backed this up by telephoning Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to thank him for his government's support. The Taleban has warned Pakistan that it faces war if it allows the US to launch an attack from its territory.

Noble Eagle

At the same time, the president's military advisers are concerned that the immediate threat of attacks on US civilian targets is not over and a plan - Operation Noble Eagle - has been launched to improve defences.

St Patrick's Cathedral was packed for Sunday Mass

Warplanes are patrolling the skies above major US cities and military installations, warship battle groups are on guard off the country's east and west coasts, and tens of thousands of reservists have been called up to protect the homeland.

Throughout New York memorial services were held on Sunday, with thousands attending the main ceremony at St Patrick's cathedral, not far from the rubble of the WTC twin towers.

The congregation stood and applauded when New York Cardinal Edward Egan thanked rescuers and praised New York Governor George Pataki and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who attended the service.