This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-11657742

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
UK terror threat 'severe' after Yemen cargo plane alert UK terror threat 'severe' after Yemen cargo plane alert
(40 minutes later)
The UK's terror threat level will stay at "severe" despite the discovery of explosives on a cargo flight from Yemen, the home secretary has said.The UK's terror threat level will stay at "severe" despite the discovery of explosives on a cargo flight from Yemen, the home secretary has said.
Theresa May said there was no indication another attack was imminent but that unaccompanied air freight from Yemen was being banned from the UK.Theresa May said there was no indication another attack was imminent but that unaccompanied air freight from Yemen was being banned from the UK.
The device - a printer cartridge with wires protruding - was on a Chicago-bound plane at East Midlands Airport.The device - a printer cartridge with wires protruding - was on a Chicago-bound plane at East Midlands Airport.
It could have exploded, Mrs May said. Another device was found in Dubai.It could have exploded, Mrs May said. Another device was found in Dubai.
Yemeni police are reportedly examining 26 other suspect parcels. Intelligence agencies believe the packages are linked to terrorist group Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which is based in the country. Yemeni police are reportedly examining 26 other suspect parcels. Intelligence agencies believe the packages are linked to terrorist group al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which is based in the country.
However, the Yemeni embassy in London has stated that no planes from delivery firm UPS land or take off from the country. Authorities have closed down the offices of UPS and Fedex in the state, the BBC understands.However, the Yemeni embassy in London has stated that no planes from delivery firm UPS land or take off from the country. Authorities have closed down the offices of UPS and Fedex in the state, the BBC understands.
Speaking after a meeting of government emergency planning committee, Cobra, Mrs May said officials were continuing to work with international colleagues on the investigation.Speaking after a meeting of government emergency planning committee, Cobra, Mrs May said officials were continuing to work with international colleagues on the investigation.
"I can confirm that the device was viable and could have exploded. The target may have been an aircraft and had it detonated the aircraft could have been brought down," she said."I can confirm that the device was viable and could have exploded. The target may have been an aircraft and had it detonated the aircraft could have been brought down," she said.
"We do not believe that the perpetrators of the attack would have known the location of the device when it was planned to explode.""We do not believe that the perpetrators of the attack would have known the location of the device when it was planned to explode."
Severe is the second-highest level of alert, meaning an attack is "highly likely". The highest level - critical - indicates an attack is imminent.Severe is the second-highest level of alert, meaning an attack is "highly likely". The highest level - critical - indicates an attack is imminent.
Direct flights from Yemen to the UK were suspended in January 2010. Mrs May confirmed an additional measure to bar all unaccompanied air freight originating from Yemen from coming into or through the UK.Direct flights from Yemen to the UK were suspended in January 2010. Mrs May confirmed an additional measure to bar all unaccompanied air freight originating from Yemen from coming into or through the UK.
The flight found to be carrying the device at East Midlands Airport had stopped to refuel.The flight found to be carrying the device at East Midlands Airport had stopped to refuel.
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 and the UK has been working with the US to strengthen counter-terrorism there.
US President Barack Obama praised the professionalism of British officers in a call to Prime Minister David Cameron, the White House said. David Cameron has spoken to President Saleh of Yemen to affirm their common interest in fighting terrorism, according to a Downing Street spokeswoman.
Jewish targets
US President Barack Obama praised the professionalism of British officers in a call to the prime minister, the White House said.
Likewise, shadow home secretary Ed Balls said: "This clearly constituted a potentially serious threat to our security and we should all pay tribute to our police and intelligence and security services who, working with international colleagues, located and secured the device."Likewise, shadow home secretary Ed Balls said: "This clearly constituted a potentially serious threat to our security and we should all pay tribute to our police and intelligence and security services who, working with international colleagues, located and secured the device."
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the Met's counter terrorism officers were liaising with international agencies and tests on the device were continuing.A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the Met's counter terrorism officers were liaising with international agencies and tests on the device were continuing.
Former Cobra member Col Richard Kemp said the packages "may be simply intended to spread fear and despondency and alarm, or possibly even a distraction from another operation that's being launched".
Jewish targets
Meanwhile, aviation expert Chris Yates said cargo had always been seen as the "Achilles heel" of the aviation system.
"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."
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.
Mr Obama's top counter-terrorism adviser John Brennan said the US was "remaining vigilant".Mr 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 questions about Yemen.
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.
Screening of cargo would also come under more scrutiny, particularly as PETN is undetectable by scanners, he added.
Aviation expert Chris Yates said cargo had always been seen as the "Achilles heel" of the aviation system.
"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."