White House: Obama orders ‘all appropriate steps’ over al-Qaeda threat

“All appropriate steps” shall be taken to protect Americans in response to a threat of an al-Qaeda attack, ordered President Barack Obama, in a statement reported late on Friday.

A White House official said the president “will continue to be updated on a regular basis” on the threat and related developments

“The president is being updated on a potential threat occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

The United States had issued a worldwide alert on Friday warning of plans by al-Qaeda to launch an attack in the Middle East or North Africa in August.

It said attacks were possible “particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and possibly occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula.”

“The State Department’s newly-released travel alert makes clear that al-Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond,” the official said.

(With AFP)