By ANDREW BUNCOMBE in Washington
The United States is preparing for its most anxious Fourth of July ever, amid fears that terrorists could use the Independence Day celebrations to launch a much-anticipated strike.
Last week, the Pentagon said the military would step up random air patrols over key US cities on and around July 4 as part of increased security measures.
The Federal Aviation Administration has also announced new restrictions on flights around a series of popular US landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore and the Gateway Arch in St Louis.
"This is not in response to any specific threat," said a senior defence official.
"It's more a recognition that it is a day of symbolic significance."
But a stream of warnings and alerts, such as one that terrorists might use petrol tankers to strike Jewish targets, have sometimes given the impression that Americans are jumping at shadows.
Although officials are keen to play down the threat, President George W. Bush yesterday highlighted the anxiety gripping many in the US when he transferred power to Vice-President Dick Cheney for two hours while he underwent a routine colonoscopy that required him to be sedated.
It was understood that Bush was not fully unconscious during the procedure, but the President said he was being "super-cautious" because of his "war against terror".
"I did so because we're at war and I just want to be - you know - super-cautious," Bush said. "It is a normal procedure, but these are not normal times."
It is understood that many of the warnings in recent months have been based on information provided by senior al Qaeda leader Abu Zubaydah, who is being interrogated by the US at an undisclosed location.
Specific concerns about July were heightened when the FBI revealed it was investigating the claims of a Lebanese-born man who said he overheard a mobile phone conversation in Arabic talking of a possible July 4 attack on Las Vegas.
Michael Hamdan, a Las Vegas businessman, said he heard the speakers discussing a "hit" on the "day of freedom".
Anxiety has not been eased by comments by Cheney and Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who have both essentially said it was a matter of "when, not if" terrorists would try another attack on the US.
The 7000-strong US force in Afghanistan will be on heightened alert on July 4.
At Bagram airfield, the US headquarters, guards at the perimeter of the base have been told to be extra vigilant.
"It's the Fourth of July coming up, and we need to go on a heightened state of security," said spokesman Colonel Roger King.
The alert will not prevent some July 4 celebrations at the base, however.
Some soldiers will take part in a 9km run, followed by a small picnic.
Others have said they will mark the holiday by re-enlisting.
- INDEPENDENT
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Independence Day tension rises
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