Terror-strike fears spark security clamp at US airports

Security at United States airports has been tightened amid fears of a possible terrorist strike.

Air France cancelled Christmas flights to Los Angeles after the name of a person suspected of having links to terror groups was found on a passenger list.

CNN reported that aircraft leaving Mexico for US destinations would be subjected to intense scrutiny.

The Department of Homeland Security said extra sensors to sniff the air for deadly microbes had been deployed.

US officials relayed "credible" intelligence reports to France that extremist groups were planning "near-term simultaneous attacks that would rival September 11".

Department of Homeland Security spokesman Brian Roehrkasse said: "There are credible reports that indicate al Qaeda's continued desire to use aircraft as weapons."

Washington blames Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network for the September 11, 2001, attacks that used hijacked airliners to kill about 3000 people in the United States.

Air France cancelled six departing and returning flights over the past two days at Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin's request.

French officials said some passengers had been prevented from boarding flights but there were no arrests.

The move came just three days after the US Government raised its terror alert to code orange, the second-highest level, and warned Americans there was a high risk militants might strike US targets around the Christmas holidays.

Homeland Security Department officials deployed 40 to 50 outdoor air-sampling devices in addition to the more than 1000 fielded in more than 30 major US urban areas.

US military jets patrolled major cities, missile batteries were placed in the Washington area, patrols were stepped up at seaports, and landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, were under guard. National Guard units were mobilised to provide security at airports.

As Americans celebrated the holiday season there was also a security scare in New York. The Delta Airlines terminal at LaGuardia Airport was evacuated yesterday and departing Delta flights were grounded after a passenger set off a metal detector. The terminal reopened after about 90 minutes.

- REUTERS