'London terror threat remains'

2005-07-30 08:05

London - Terrorists still pose a serious threat to London despite the capture of the four men suspected of trying to bomb the city's mass transit system, police said.

After a charged standoff between suspects and police in the British capital and a raid in Rome on Friday, an official at London's Metropolitan Police said they believed they had in custody all of those suspected of trying to carry out the botched attacks. At least three are British citizens or legal residents of east African origin.

Another suspect also was arrested in west London but the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said his role was unclear. Investigators did not yet know whether he was a fifth would-be attacker whom they said earlier might have left an unexploded bomb in a west London park, the official said.

London has been on edge since four suicide bombers killed 52 victims in July 7 attacks on three subway cars and a bus. The botched July 21 bombings, which took no lives, frightened many residents even more because they suggested the capital might have to gird itself for more bloodshed.

Cameras led cops to men

Peter Clarke, head of Scotland Yard's anti-terrorist branch, said that danger had not receded.

"We must not be complacent," he said. "The threat remains, and is very real."

The dramatic standoff with two suspects at the Dalgarno Gardens apartment complex on the outskirts of the chic Notting Hill area further unnerved many in the neighbourhood.

Police armed with assault rifles and wearing gas masks and protective suits stormed two apartment blocks after images captured by closed circuit television cameras during the failed attacks helped lead them to the men.

"You're going to be dead unless you open up this door!" police could be heard shouting on a video shot by a resident from a nearby apartment and broadcast by ITV News.

The ITV video showed two men standing bare-chested on a balcony outside a flat. One suspect was later led away in a white bodysuit, shielding his face.

Some witnesses said there were several explosions - possibly stun grenades or tear gas. Helicopters buzzed overhead during the raid and police cordoned off a number of streets.

One of those arrested at the Dalgarno Gardens complex identified himself as Muktar Said Ibrahim, 27, police said. Ibrahim, also known as Muktar Mohammed Said, allegedly planted explosives on the No 26 bus in Hackney in east London. He came to Britain in 1990 from Eritrea and was granted citizenship in September 2004.

The second man arrested at the complex identified himself as Ramzi Mohammed, Clarke said.

Mohammed is believed to have carried explosives into the Oval Tube station, said the police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The man was shown on CCTV images wearing a "New York" sweat shirt.

Another man was arrested nearby, at the Tavistock Crescent apartment complex.

- AP