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Cobra meeting over Yemen explosives alert Cobra meets over Yemen aeroplane explosives alert
(about 1 hour later)
The government's emergency planning committee is meeting to discuss the discovery of a suspected explosive package on a cargo flight from Yemen. The government's emergency planning committee has met to discuss the discovery of a suspected explosive package on a cargo flight from Yemen.
The device - a printer cartridge with wires protruding - was found on a plane at East Midlands Airport on Friday, and sparked an international terror alert.The device - a printer cartridge with wires protruding - was found on a plane at East Midlands Airport on Friday, and sparked an international terror alert.
The flight was bound for Chicago. Another device was found on a Chicago-bound cargo plane in Dubai.The flight was bound for Chicago. Another device was found on a Chicago-bound cargo plane in Dubai.
The home secretary has said there was no indication that the UK was a target.The home secretary has said there was no indication that the UK was a target.
Intelligence agencies believe the packages are linked to Yemen-based terrorist group Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.Intelligence agencies believe the packages are linked to Yemen-based terrorist group Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
Home Secretary Theresa May is chairing the UK's emergency committee, known as Cobra. Home Secretary Theresa May chaired the UK's emergency committee, known as Cobra, and is expected to make a statement later.
She said air security for cargo planes was under review. Direct flights from Yemen to the UK were suspended in January 2010. She has previously said air security for cargo planes was under review. Direct flights from Yemen to the UK were suspended in January 2010.
Mrs May said on Friday it was unclear whether the package was a "viable explosive device", while the US described it as a "credible terrorist threat".Mrs May said on Friday it was unclear whether the package was a "viable explosive device", while the US described it as a "credible terrorist threat".
Yemen is considered a source of a growing threat of extremist violence, with the Labour government earlier this year vowing to do more to combat it. The UK was working with the US to strengthen counter-terrorism there.Yemen is considered a source of a growing threat of extremist violence, with the Labour government earlier this year vowing to do more to combat it. The UK was working with the US to strengthen counter-terrorism there.
Former home secretary Lord Reid said the discoveries were "an awful, terrible reminder" that terror threats in general were continuing."Former home secretary Lord Reid said the discoveries were "an awful, terrible reminder" that terror threats in general were continuing."
Lord Reid was home secretary when increased passenger security measures were introduced, including banning liquids, in the wake of a UK plot to blow up trans-Atlantic planes about four years ago.Lord Reid was home secretary when increased passenger security measures were introduced, including banning liquids, in the wake of a UK plot to blow up trans-Atlantic planes about four years ago.
'Terrible nature''Terrible nature'
"It is quite easy to make a bomb and therefore the utmost vigilance is required," he said."It is quite easy to make a bomb and therefore the utmost vigilance is required," he said.
He said it was unclear whether Friday's discoveries represented a rehearsal or were intended to detonate either en route or in the US.He said it was unclear whether Friday's discoveries represented a rehearsal or were intended to detonate either en route or in the US.
"What cannot be speculated on is the terrible nature of this threat and the intention and capability to commit mass murder," he added."What cannot be speculated on is the terrible nature of this threat and the intention and capability to commit mass murder," he added.
Former Cobra member Col Richard Kemp said the intention did not simply seem to be to blowing up aircraft or assassinating people in the US.Former Cobra member Col Richard Kemp said the intention did not simply seem to be to blowing up aircraft or assassinating people in the US.
"It may be something deeper than that, it may be simple intended to spread fear and despondency and alarm, or possibly even a distraction from another operation that's being launched," he said."It may be something deeper than that, it may be simple intended to spread fear and despondency and alarm, or possibly even a distraction from another operation that's being launched," he said.
Aviation expert Chris Yates said he had been told that the printer cartridge device also had a mobile phone attached. It could work as a remote detonation device, triggered by a phone call from anywhere in the world.Aviation expert Chris Yates said he had been told that the printer cartridge device also had a mobile phone attached. It could work as a remote detonation device, triggered by a phone call from anywhere in the world.
He said it was probably not possible to detonate in the air, as mobile phones are short-range devices, and are out of range while at altitude.He said it was probably not possible to detonate in the air, as mobile phones are short-range devices, and are out of range while at altitude.
"Cargo has always been seen as the Achilles heel of the aviation system," Mr Yates said."Cargo has always been seen as the Achilles heel of the aviation system," Mr Yates said.
"Measures aren't necessarily as robust as one might imagine, so it's entirely possible that in some parts of the world a device such as this can be infiltrated into the cargo handling system and transported around the world.""Measures aren't necessarily as robust as one might imagine, so it's entirely possible that in some parts of the world a device such as this can be infiltrated into the cargo handling system and transported around the world."
Jewish targetsJewish targets
UK terror expert Dr Sally Leivesley said the device looked very sophisticated in the way in which the explosive powder was concealed inside the printer cartridge, and as it was so large it could be devastating.UK terror expert Dr Sally Leivesley said the device looked very sophisticated in the way in which the explosive powder was concealed inside the printer cartridge, and as it was so large it could be devastating.
US President Barack Obama's top counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan said the US was "remaining vigilant".US President Barack Obama's top counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan said the US was "remaining vigilant".
The packages were destined for Jewish places of worship in Chicago, Mr Obama said.The packages were destined for Jewish places of worship in Chicago, Mr Obama said.
The alerts were:The alerts were:
  • Suspect package found at Dubai
  • Suspect package found at East Midlands Airport
  • Three cargo planes owned by the freight company UPS searched in Newark and Philadelphia
  • US fighter jets escorted Emirates flight 201, which was carrying cargo from Yemen, from Dubai into New York
  • Suspect package from Yemen examined on a delivery lorry in New York
  • BA flight from London to New York met by authorities amid reports of search of its cargo
  • Suspect package found at Dubai
  • Suspect package found at East Midlands Airport
  • Three cargo planes owned by the freight company UPS searched in Newark and Philadelphia
  • US fighter jets escorted Emirates flight 201, which was carrying cargo from Yemen, from Dubai into New York
  • Suspect package from Yemen examined on a delivery lorry in New York
  • BA flight from London to New York met by authorities amid reports of search of its cargo
Mr Obama stressed that new aviation security measures were being taken in the US, "including additional screening".Mr Obama stressed that new aviation security measures were being taken in the US, "including additional screening".
Powerful explosivePowerful explosive
US officials told Associated Press they believed the packages contained PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate) - the explosive used in the failed bombing of a US-bound airliner last Christmas Day - although full testing was not complete.US officials told Associated Press they believed the packages contained PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate) - the explosive used in the failed bombing of a US-bound airliner last Christmas Day - although full testing was not complete.
BBC world affairs correspondent David Loyn said the incidents would raise the question of screening cargo, particularly as PETN is undetectable by scanners, but also raise issues about Yemen itself.BBC world affairs correspondent David Loyn said the incidents would raise the question of screening cargo, particularly as PETN is undetectable by scanners, but also raise issues about Yemen itself.
He said it was the poorest country in the Middle East, adjoining the richest - Saudi Arabia, and that Yemen has been surprisingly stable, despite a worsening civil war.He said it was the poorest country in the Middle East, adjoining the richest - Saudi Arabia, and that Yemen has been surprisingly stable, despite a worsening civil war.
The UK has tried to work through the government, but our correspondent said he expected an examination as to whether there should be a more direct policy to prevent the growth of al-Qaeda in Yemen.The UK has tried to work through the government, but our correspondent said he expected an examination as to whether there should be a more direct policy to prevent the growth of al-Qaeda in Yemen.