Spectre of 'World War Three' raised

Concern that the US could ‘‘over-react’’ to the outrage was voiced by a British terrorism expert.

Mike Yardley raised the spectre of ‘‘World War Three’’ in the worst-case scenario.

He said: ‘‘If the US discovers that a state was in some way supporting this group of radicals, it could unleash a terrible retaliation that would play right into the hands of the terrorists.’’

That state could then be supported by others, such as Iraq, he said, precipitating a world war.

‘‘They are probably planning on the Americans over-reacting and George W Bush is exactly the man to do that,’’ said Mr Yardley. ‘‘It could be World War Three.’’