US told of new terror threat

The Taleban say Bin Laden is still in Afghanistan

United States Attorney General John Ashcroft has warned Americans of the likelihood of "further terrorist activity" in response to prospective US military action against Afghanistan.

Talk won't interrupt terrorism - we need to act quickly and we need to act promptly

John Ashcroft

He called on the US Congress to enact new anti-terrorism laws before the end of the week, to make it easier to conduct searches and detain immigrants.

Washington has demanded that Afghanistan's ruling Taleban surrender Saudi-born militant Osama Bin Laden, whom it says is behind the devastating 11 September attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Mr Ashcroft said that the "very serious threat" of further strikes might escalate once the US military launches such a counter-offensive.

Ashcroft: 'Very serious threat' of further attacks

He spoke of the urgent need for a "national neighbourhood watch" in the US to prevent further terrorist acts taking place.

President George W Bush spent Sunday meeting key advisers at his Camp David presidential retreat, to consider further the US response to the attacks.

The FBI says it is following up more than 100,000 leads, which it hopes will lead to more information about them.

Hostage threat

Mr Ashcroft's statements follow the warning by the US State Department on Friday that Islamic extremists may be planning to kill or kidnap American and British civilians in the event of American retaliatory action.

US policies face considerable opposition in some Islamic countries

The State Department issued the statement after warnings from foreign and US intelligence agents.

US press reports have indicated that the most serious reported threat is in Indonesia, where radical Muslim groups reportedly plan to invade the wealthy neighbourhoods of Jakarta and seize large numbers of potential hostages should strikes against Afghanistan be carried out.

There have also reportedly been threats in Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Georgia and Bahrain.

Travellers have also been urged to be particularly careful in Muslim nations or those with large Muslim populations.