US fears new attacks after uncovering 'martyrdom messages'

The US Government has released edited videotapes of five suspected al-Qaida members it believes are planning suicide attacks in the future.

US Attorney General John Ashcroft said the tapes were discovered in the ruins of a house in Kabul where Mohammed Atef, one of Osama bin Laden’s key lieutenants, was killed by US warplanes last November.

The five men, four of whom were identified, apparently left "martyrdom messages" on the videotapes ahead of suspected suicide missions.

Mr Ashcroft said the men are still at large and their whereabouts are unknown. The men did not reveal any details of their potential missions.