US officials say Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network has been promoting Islamic uprisings in Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia.
A report in the New York Timesclaims southeast Asia is becoming a major operational hub for the terror network. US officials say the Abu Sayyaf movement in the Philippines has sent insurgents to train at al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan. They have also exchanged money, equipment, and people with al-Qaeda in recent years.
According to the New York Times, terrorists tied to bin Laden's network and based in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia are among the likely targets of future covert and overt US actions.
The newspaper quotes US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell as denying military action was planned against the terrorist infrastructure in these countries in the near future. But he said: "We will seek out terrorists wherever they are located".
Philippines National Security Adviser Mr Roilo Golez said his government will not allow ground troops to take part in counter-terrorism activities in the Philippines.
AP