Official: New al Qaeda threat targets Europe, 'notably France'

By the CNN Wire

October 17, 2010 6:49 p.m. EDT

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/10/17/france.terror.threat/index.html

France's terror alert level is at Reinforced Red, the second-highest level.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• French interior minister says nation remains vigilant
• Warning comes at a time of heightened security in Europe
• The U.S. and other nations have warned against travel in Europe

Paris, France (CNN) -- Saudi Arabian intelligence
services are warning of a new terrorist threat from al Qaeda in the
Arabian Peninsula targeting Europe, especially France, French Interior
Minister Brice Hortefeux said in a radio interview Sunday.

"Several
days ago the Saudi services alerted their European counterparts that
there was a terrorist threat on the continent, notably in France, coming
from al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula," Hortefeux told RTL Radio. The
message indicated the branch of al Qaeda was active or about to become
active in Europe.

"The threat is real and our vigilance is
intact," he said. France's terror alert level is at Reinforced Red, the
second-highest level below Scarlette Red. "Vigilance is total,"
Hortefeux said.

At least two attacks were foiled in France in the
past year, and 61 people are currently jailed for suspected involvement
in terrorism, the interior minister said.

The new warning comes
at a time of heightened security in Europe. Earlier this month, France
warned its citizens about travel to the United Kingdom, saying British
authorities believe a terrorist attack is "highly likely." Neither the
U.K. nor France raised its threat level, but each issued warnings about
travel elsewhere on the continent.

The United States also warned
Americans to be careful about traveling in Europe because of the risk of
terror attacks. Sweden and Japan also warned their citizens.

Europe
remains on edge after the warnings, based at least partly on
intelligence about a plot obtained from a German-Afghan in U.S. custody
in Afghanistan.

Police in France earlier this month seized 12 people for suspected terrorist ties in southern France.

On
Friday, Australia raised its travel warning level for Yemen to the
highest level, advising citizens not to travel there "because of the
very high threat of terrorist attack and volatile security situation."

Since
its inception in January 2009, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has
claimed responsibility for numerous terrorist attacks against Saudi
Arabian, Korean, Yemeni and U.S. targets.

Related Reports:

France: Saudis warn of new al-Qaeda threat
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11562598


French Report New Threat of Terrorist Attack in Europe
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/world/europe/18france.html?_r=1&ref=world


Saudis warn of terror threat
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_592043.html

Saudis warn of new terror threat in Europe

‎Saudi intelligence services have warned of a new terror threat from al-Qaeda against Europe, particularly in France, Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux said yesterday.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/8069936/Saudis-warn-of-new-terror-threat-in-Europe.html