FBI says no specific threat to US after Zarqawi death

WASHINGTON - The FBI said on Thursday it had not seen any specific or credible intelligence threat from the Zarqawi network or al Qaeda in the United States after the killing of al Qaeda's leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

"Per standard operating procedures following a major terrorist operation, the FBI has contacted all 56 field offices and legal attaches overseas to request they work with local law enforcement and review any ongoing investigations and intelligence," FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said.

"At this time, there is no specific or credible intelligence threat from the Zarqawi network or al Qaeda in the United States," he said in a statement.

Kolko said the FBI worked closely with the US military and intelligence to identify the remains of Zarqawi, who was killed by a US airstrike. FBI experts conducted fingerprint analysis and concluded it was a match to prints on file, he said.

Kolko said the FBI would also assist by performing a DNA analysis at the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia.

The killing of Zarqawi occurred several days after Canadian authorities arrested 17 Muslim men who are accused of being part of an al Qaeda-inspired terrorism ring that plotted bombings in major Canadian cities. After the arrests, US officials increased security along the Canadian border.

- REUTERS