US issues Turkey terror threat

Special care was advised at Gaziantep airport, near a popular tourist area

Americans in Turkey are being warned of a possible terrorist threat after US officials received "unconfirmed and fragmentary" information.

The State Department issued a new warning saying that American people or interests could be targeted, particularly in the south-east of the country.

US defence chief Paul Wolfowitz this week secured Turkish promises of military support

The announcement came just days after Turkey said it would allow the US to use its bases for action in Iraq, if the military campaign was supported by the United Nations.

The statement referred only to "unknown terrorists". Allies of the US were threatened in a recording said to be of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden which was released last month.

The State Department warning said: "The US Government has received unconfirmed and fragmentary information that suggests unknown terrorists may be planning to conduct a terrorist incident in south-east Turkey against US Government facilities or personnel."

It warned citizens to be particularly careful in and around Gaziantep airport.

The statement added that the Turkish Government had taken "all prudent measures to address this possible threat" and that Washington and Ankara would continue their co-operation.