United Nations building in New York evacuated

The United Nations compound in New York was evacuated early today because of an unidentified threat to the complex relayed by US authorities, a UN spokesman said.

Some sources said it was a bomb threat but spokesman Mr Fred Eckhard would not confirm this.

There was a threat to the building. Staff inside were either put in a basement room or told to leave. Mr Fred Eckhard

"There was a threat to the building. Staff inside were either put in a basement room or told to leave. Other staff were not allowed into the complex as they arrived for work," he said.

United Nations security staff were still evaluating the threat relayed to them from US authorities.

The world body is located in midtown Manhattan several miles northeast of the World Trade Center.