US Working to Prevent Terror Attacks Over Holidays

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 VOA News President Barack Obama's top counterterrorism adviser says U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies are doing everything they can to prevent a terror attack over the holiday season.

John Brennan says the U.S. does not see any credible threat against the country, but adds that authorities are working non-stop to prevent anything from happening to Americans both at home and abroad as they enjoy Christmas and New Year's festivities.

Brendan told reporters Wednesday that U.S. intelligence agencies

will do their best to disrupt plans by al-Qaida and other terrorist groups before they are able to carry out an attack. He says the ability of terrorists to train and move operatives to carry out large-scale attacks has lessened due to intensive anti-terrorism efforts.

Last year, a young Nigerian man allegedly attempted to bomb a U.S.-bound airliner on Christmas Day with explosives concealed in his underwear.

Earlier this week, U.S. media reported that an al-Qaida-linked group considered plans to poison U.S. food supplies.

Reports said al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula considered putting deadly chemicals such as ricin and cyanide in salad bars and buffets at U.S. hotels and restaurants.

However, U.S. terrorism officials downplayed the threat, saying it was more of a discussion on tactics as opposed to an actual plot.