US steps security for election

The United States is tightening security in the face of a steady stream of intelligence indicating that al-Qaida may seek to mount an attack aimed at disrupting the November elections, the White House says.

The Department of Homeland Security is addressing the threat and has efforts under way to “ramp up security,” White House press secretary Scott McClellan said today.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said President George Bush’s administration based its decision to bolster security on “credible” reports about al-Qaida’s plans, coupled with the pre-election terror attack in Spain earlier this year and recent arrests in England, Jordan and Italy.

“This is sobering information about those who wish to do us harm,” Ridge said. “But every day we strengthen the security of our nation.”

US officials do not have specific knowledge about where, when or how such an attack would take place, but the CIA, FBI and other agencies “are actively working to gain that knowledge”, Ridge said.

The government was not raising its colour-coded terror alert status, he said.