WASHINGTON, Nov 10: A small plane violated restricted air space around Washington on Monday, causing a brief security alert at the White House before military jets intercepted it and steered it away, the US Secret Service said.

President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush were not present during the scare, which prompted armed guards to take up positions on the White House lawn.

But White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Vice President Dick Cheney and White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card were moved temporarily to a secure location as a precautionary measure. They resumed their duties after the incident.

“This morning, sometime around 11:15 (a.m. EST) or so, a small plane violated the restricted airspace surrounding Washington, D.C.,” Secret Service spokesman Tom Mazur told Reuters. “It was on track to violate the ... restricted airspace around the White House but once the fighters arrived it was diverted.”

He said the Federal Aviation Administration was tracking the plane and the pilot would be interviewed upon landing. It was not known where that would be, he said. —Reuters