November 16, 2003	Sunday	Ramazan 20, 1424

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LONDON, Nov 15: British security services have been placed on their second highest state of alert over an intelligence report about a possible attack by the Al Qaeda network, the BBC said on Saturday.

The report said the “severe general” alert was not connected to US President George Bush’s forthcoming visit.

Security measures for Bush’s visit already were “without precedent”, according to John Stevens, the head of the Metropolitan police.

The BBC said the additional alert was for the security services, including police, intelligence and the army and was not directed at the public. It said the threat was of a general nature concerning alleged plans by Al Qaeda supporters from North Africa.

The Home Office declined to comment. A spokeswoman said it never discusses threat levels unless there is a specific threat.

She added: “If there’s a specific threat the government would not hesitate to issue an alert.”

Opponents of the US-led occupation of Iraq plan to mobilize tens of thousands of demonstrators against the Bush visit.—AFP