White House bomb alert 'false alarm'

A bomb scare at the White House has proved to be a false alarm.

The area around the Washington building had been evacuated after a suspicious package was found near one of the gates around midday Irish time.

Secret Service agents were involved in trying to identify the parcel, and later ruled out the involvement of any explosive material.

The need for security had been heightened by the President taking part in the Summit of the Americas in Quebec to discuss free trade.

Environmental protestors are expected to try to disrupt the conference.

The front of the White House was been evacuated and the media moved away.

President Bush is due to leave Washington today to attend the Quebec conference as planned.