Video leads to US terror alert - report

Security agencies in the US capital are on alert to a potential terrorist attack after a man video-taped the Washington Monument, Pentagon and other buildings, it was reported today.

The alert was issued after intelligence officials obtained a copy of a video that contained pictures of the Washington Monument, Pentagon and other buildings, The Washington Times reported.

The man, whom the paper described as being of Middle Eastern origin, video-taped the buildings and also paced off several distances around the monument, the Times reported.

Similar surveillance was discovered near the Port of Los Angeles in June.

The Times said surveillance of potential targets is considered a sign that a terrorist attack is being planned.