THE US: US authorities have charged six people, claiming to have broken an alleged terror cell linked to the al-Qaeda network, on what Attorney General Mr John Ashcroft called a "defining day" in America's anti-terror campaign.
The six, five of whom are US citizens, were charged with conspiring to wage war or jihad against the United States with al-Qaeda and the Taliban, Mr Ashcroft said.
"We've neutralised a suspected terrorist cell within our borders. We've convicted an attempted suicide bomber, and an American pledged and trained and captured in violent jihad is sentenced," Mr Ashcroft said.
The five male defendants were identified as Mr Jeffrey Leon Battle, Mr Patrice Lumumba Ford, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim Bilal, Mr Muhammad Ibrahim Bilal and Mr Habis Abdullah al Saoub. The sole woman, named as Ms October Martinique Lewis, was Mr Battle's former wife, Mr Ashcroft said.
Four of the six were in custody following a joint sweep by US law enforcement agencies in Portland, Oregon, and Detroit, Michigan, Mr Ashcroft said. Two others remain at large overseas, but Mr Ashcroft declined to name the country where they are believed to be hiding. Mr Battle was a former member of the US military reserve, Mr Ashcroft said at the US Justice Department.
The suspects were charged on four counts: conspiracy to levy war against the United States, conspiracy to provide material support for foreign terror groups, conspiracy to contribute services to al-Qaeda and the Taliban and possession of firearms, he said.
"If convicted of these crimes, these defendants will face up to life in prison," Mr Ashcroft said.
The indictment says that following the attacks on the United States on September 11th, 2001, the defendants acquired firearms and took part in weapons training and began to travel to Afghanistan to join Taliban and al-Qaeda troops battling US forces.
Meanwhile, UN inspectors should not resume their hunt for Iraq's weapons of mass destruction until the Security Council decides whether to adopt a new resolution that could give them broad new powers, the UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, said yesterday.
Chief inspector Hans Blix, who is preparing to send an advance team to Baghdad in mid-October, said he hoped council members would make up their minds quickly. But the council is deeply divided over a US draft resolution, backed by Britain, to toughen inspections and authorise military force if Iraq doesn't comply. Russia, France and China, all veto-wielding council members, oppose any authorisation of force.
Indicating that inspectors would wait, Mr Blix said if the council changed the rules while inspectors were in Iraq, "it would be awkward". He is in charge of dismantling any biological or chemical weapons and long-range missiles that Iraq possesses.
Mr Blix had "the right attitude", Mr Annan said. "He has had his discussions, he has got his men ready, but as the council is discussing further guidance, it would be appropriate for him to know that further guidance before he resumes, and I hope that will be forthcoming shortly." - (AFP)