telegraph

European security forces on high alert By Sean O'Neill (Filed: 08/10/2001)

POLICE and security forces across western Europe were placed on a heightened state of alert last night, amid fears of terrorist retaliation for the attack on Afghanistan.

Dozens of terrorist suspects thought to be linked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qa'eda network have been arrested in Europe since the attacks on New York and Washington on September 11.

Suspects are being held in the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Belgium and Holland but anti-terrorist agencies believe that some al-Qa'eda cells will have escaped their sweep of the continent.

Announcing his support for the missile and air strikes, Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian premier, declared that his country was on an official state of alert. A government spokesman said Mr Berlusconi has set up a crisis cell at his offices in Palazzo Chigi under the command of an Italian general.

In Berlin, the city authorities announced an escalation of "precautionary" security measures after it was announced that German forces would participate in the continuing operations.

A spokesman said extra police forces were sent to protect the embassies of several Western governments - including those of Britain, the United States, and France - as well as to other "especially vulnerable" buildings.

In France the security authorities are already in a high state of readiness following the discovery of an al-Qa'eda plot to stage a suicide bomb attack on the US embassy in Paris.

Immediately after the confirmation of the military raids, the US State Department issued stark advice to American citizens that they should restrict their foreign travel.

The State Department said any US civilians in Afghanistan should leave the country immediately and Americans in other parts of the world should "monitor the local news, maintain contact with the nearest American embassy or consulate and to limit their movement in their respective locations".

Tony Blair, in his statement confirming the beginning of military strikes, said there was "no specific credible threat to the United Kingdom that we know of and that we have in place tried and tested contingency plans". These include orders for the RAF to shoot down any hijacked aircraft which appear to be on a suicide mission over London.

Police leave in London has been cancelled and many officers are working 12-hour shifts protecting major public buildings or guarding potential flashpoints, including some of the capital's mosques.

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2001

Answers

Before the air strikes we and other nations made yesterday, Israel was fighting with the palestians, I just hope MAJOR eruptions don't happen there.

-- Anonymous, October 08, 2001