Britain and the United States lowered alert levels a notch
Monday and lifted some restrictions for air passengers after
British officials said they were holding the main suspects in an
alleged Al-Qaida plot.
But the authorities in London warned that the threat of an
attack had not disappeared and admitted that there would be
confusion at airports as officials grappled with the new security
measures.
The British Government early Monday downgraded the alert level
to "severe," the fourth highest of five levels, from an
unprecedented "critical," where it had stood since police announced
on Thursday it had foiled a major plot.
Following the British decision, the US Department of Homeland
Security announced it was downgrading the threat level for inbound
flights from Britain to "code orange" from "code red," its highest
security risk alert.
On Thursday, British authorities arrested two dozen men
suspected of plotting to smuggle volatile chemicals on to several
passenger jets headed for the United States with the intent to set
off explosions in mid-flight.
Britain's Home Secretary John Reid said that the threat of
attack was no longer imminent as police "believe that the main
suspects in the alleged plot were arrested last week."
But he warned that an attack remained "highly likely" as police
investigated other suspected plots.
Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said the new security
picture meant that passengers would now be able to take aboard one
item of hand luggage, though a ban on non-essential liquids and
gels would remain in place.
BAA, the operator at Heathrow Airport, said it was setting up
"the appropriate procedures" to implement the new security
requirements but the hand baggage ban would remain at Heathrow
until today.
US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff issued warnings
similar to Reid's.
"Let me be clear: this does not mean the threat is over," he
said.
He also told Fox News on Sunday that US and British
investigators were still digging to see whether or not the plot
broken up on Thursday was directed by Al-Qaida.
At London's Heathrow airport, Europe's busiest air hub, there
was no sign of an immediate easing of restrictions.
BAA said passengers traveling from Heathrow should still check
with their airline before leaving for the airport, arrive with no
hand luggage, bring only those items allowed into the cabin in a
clear plastic bag and be prepared for delays.
News of the alleged plot caused air travel chaos around the
world as the cancellations of flights caused disruptions elsewhere
and other countries also tightened security measures.
Despite the increased security checks passengers were still
apparently able to get some banned items on board, with a mobile
phone causing a scare on a British Airways flight from London to
New York on Sunday.
The plane turned around mid-flight and returned to Heathrow for
a full security search after the phone started ringing and no
passenger claimed it, the airline said.
(China Daily August 15, 2006)
