Two Men Linked To Both U.K. Plots
How to extend your shelf life
British authorities investigating the fast-moving U.K. terror plot now suspect that Iraqi-born doctor Bilal Abdulla and Lebanese-born Khaled Ahmed, the two men who tried to bomb Glasgow International Airport, also attempted the two London car bombings a day earlier, CBS News has learned.
British intelligence services also believe that the failed car bombings in London and Glasgow bear the fingerprints of al Qaeda in Iraq.
Intelligence sources tell CBS News that the people behind the attempts were directly recruited by Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, the present leader of the terror group's Iraq franchise.
Sources say that al-Muhajir recruited people for the plot between 2004 and 2005, while they were living in the Middle East, upon orders from then-al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
Al-Muhajir was told to recruit young men who could easily move into Western countries, assimilate and lay low until the time came to attack. Britain has a fast-track visa program for medical students which makes it easier for them to enter the country.
The belief that this small cell of militants was recruited purposely by a major terror organization for their specific qualifications differentiates the group from the cell of "homegrown" attackers who were behind the bloody July 7, 2005 attack that left 52 people dead on London's transport network.
All the suspects now being held are foreign doctors, or health workers who have worked in Britain, reports CBS News foreign correspondent Mark Phillips. For potential terrorists, it was a useful cover.
Not only was it frighteningly easy for the bombers to get into the country, getting the ingredients for their bombs was surprisingly easy as well. They just drove about five miles to their local home improvement store, where they could buy the gas cylinders for about $60 each.
Iraq's national security advisor has been warning American and British authorities that al Qaeda has been infiltrating operatives in Europe, reports CBS News foreign correspondent Sheila MacVicar. And he said that al Qaeda is changing its style, seeking the highly intelligent and well educated — just like the doctors involved in this terror plot.
Sources close to the investigation tell CBS News that two or three arrests were likely to be seen in Britain by the end of the week and that some of the arrests will be of British nationals.
There have been a number of security scares since the failed car bombings, the latest coming Tuesday afternoon with authorities evacuating Terminal 4 at London's Heathrow Airport for five hours.
"A suspect bag was identified shortly before midday in Terminal 4," said a statement released by the British Airports Authority.
"As an extra precaution, it was decided to perform secondary searches on all departing passengers at the aircraft gate," which necessitated the evacuation of the terminal, the statement added. Authorities "stood down" the security situation five hours later and reopened the terminal, according to a later statement from the BAA.
Tuesday morning London police briefly blocked traffic around Hammersmith Station, in west London (seen at left), due to a suspicious package. The situation was quickly resolved by a controlled explosion.
No explosives were found and morning rush hour traffic was soon allowed back through the area.
The eighth arrest confirmed as part of the bomb plot investigation was made Monday in Brisbane, Australia. The 27-year-old man is also a doctor who had been working in Liverpool, England until a few months ago, according to CBS News sources.
Britain's Sky News identified the man as Mohammed Haneef, and reported that was arrested at Brisbane's airport as he attempted to board a flight with a one-way ticket. Sky said officials had refused to confirm reports that Haneef was bound for India, via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. British intelligence services also believe that the failed car bombings in London and Glasgow bear the fingerprints of al Qaeda in Iraq.
Intelligence sources tell CBS News that the people behind the attempts were directly recruited by Abu Hamza al-Muhajir, the present leader of the terror group's Iraq franchise.
Sources say that al-Muhajir recruited people for the plot between 2004 and 2005, while they were living in the Middle East, upon orders from then-al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
Al-Muhajir was told to recruit young men who could easily move into Western countries, assimilate and lay low until the time came to attack. Britain has a fast-track visa program for medical students which makes it easier for them to enter the country.
The belief that this small cell of militants was recruited purposely by a major terror organization for their specific qualifications differentiates the group from the cell of "homegrown" attackers who were behind the bloody July 7, 2005 attack that left 52 people dead on London's transport network.
All the suspects now being held are foreign doctors, or health workers who have worked in Britain, reports CBS News foreign correspondent Mark Phillips. For potential terrorists, it was a useful cover.
Not only was it frighteningly easy for the bombers to get into the country, getting the ingredients for their bombs was surprisingly easy as well. They just drove about five miles to their local home improvement store, where they could buy the gas cylinders for about $60 each.
Iraq's national security advisor has been warning American and British authorities that al Qaeda has been infiltrating operatives in Europe, reports CBS News foreign correspondent Sheila MacVicar. And he said that al Qaeda is changing its style, seeking the highly intelligent and well educated — just like the doctors involved in this terror plot.
Sources close to the investigation tell CBS News that two or three arrests were likely to be seen in Britain by the end of the week and that some of the arrests will be of British nationals.
There have been a number of security scares since the failed car bombings, the latest coming Tuesday afternoon with authorities evacuating Terminal 4 at London's Heathrow Airport for five hours.
"A suspect bag was identified shortly before midday in Terminal 4," said a statement released by the British Airports Authority.
"As an extra precaution, it was decided to perform secondary searches on all departing passengers at the aircraft gate," which necessitated the evacuation of the terminal, the statement added. Authorities "stood down" the security situation five hours later and reopened the terminal, according to a later statement from the BAA.
(Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
No explosives were found and morning rush hour traffic was soon allowed back through the area.
The eighth arrest confirmed as part of the bomb plot investigation was made Monday in Brisbane, Australia. The 27-year-old man is also a doctor who had been working in Liverpool, England until a few months ago, according to CBS News sources.
Britain's Sky News identified the man as Mohammed Haneef, and reported that was arrested at Brisbane's airport as he attempted to board a flight with a one-way ticket. Sky said officials had refused to confirm reports that Haneef was bound for India, via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Posted by rhs648 at 01:13 AM : Jul 04, 2007
May look great? In ALL LIKLIHOOD?
I can't IMAGINE that in my wildest nightmares!
Made me LOL hysterically.
Especially the American, society and culture is notorious for that. People, regardless whether they Americans, British or Iraqis or wherever in the world are the same. People become criminals too in the process and under the circumstances. That is why it is so important to know what I said before: what has driven these people to do such things, what is their reasoning, the psychological motivation, because we can learn from it. That is what is missing in all these reports. Could one of the news media elucidate and report on this point IN A SERIOUS, INTELLIGENT MANNER ? (I am not responding to sarcastic, abusive remarks. I am looking forward to educated responses from qualified sources)
They operate in a political environment that requires compromise with various factions, so the choices that are eventually made (mostly by Congress) are not necessarily their own."
Posted by tuckerndfw
tuckerndfw-I especially enjoyed your post above and agree with much of what you said. Without the rhetoric and name calling, your arguments are concise and convincing. I, too, feel that LBJ was one of our worst presidents in my lifetime. Welfare, even if well-intended, has probably done more to destroy the black family than anything else in recent history. It took many years, under Clinton, to correct some of the problems. I am not opposed to helping people in need. I am opposed to creating a permanent underclass who have no qualms taking from the system without using the assistance as an opportunity to improve their futures. I am curious why you don't like LBJ.
Posted by FeelFree1 at 01:35 AM : Jul 04, 2007
I consulted a local fortune teller.
Depends on how many years into the future.
10 years from now, people will be claiming they never voted for or supported Bush (same thing happened to Carter).
20 years from now, people will be unconcerned due to their meager day to day existence on poverty level wages, irrespective of employment.
30 years from now, people will ask, "America? Oh, it was annexed by Mexico and Canada after it's economy totally collapsed."
After which, George Bush will come to be known as the man who destroyed the USA. Of course, Jenna and Barbara will be living in luxurious mansions in Europe thanks to the trust funds Bozo is establishing with his ill gotten gains. (same thing his grandpa did during WW II)
Mission accomplished. The Bush crime family lives on to wreak havoc on some other nation in the future.
Presidents are just one component of our representative government. There were no "great" presidents, nor were there many "bad" presidents.
They operate in a political environment that requires compromise with various factions, so the choices that are eventually made (mostly by Congress) are not necessarily their own.
George Bush is no exception. However, what makes him far worse than others (with whom I'm personally aware) is his use of the "bully pulpit" to incite hatred towards and directed at Muslims. And, his abuse of that same "bully pulpit" to popularize a once obscure band of terrorists. Congress and the voters have no control over what he blathers on about in state of the union addresses, or other public speeches.
However, congress (led by the GOP) is equally culpable for the mess he made in Afghanistan and Iraq. They should have never given him the authority to use the military to "fight terrorists." That is a pointless goal. The military will never defeat "terrorists." Never have, never will.
Iraq is not the only issue, he routinely characterizes others in stark, divisive terms.
Based on my observations, Eisenhower was the "best" (least offensive), and until Bush came along, LBJ was the worst.
Re: "History is written by the "winners."
True. Fortunately, it doesn't look like the Bush pirates will be spending a lot of ink.
Can you imagine the unelected Chimp's face carved into the side of a mountain?
That would be one dumb looking mountain!!!