NEW YORK, June 2: The US Justice Department has asked Internet companies to keep records on the activities of their customers to aid law enforcement and intends to propose a law to force them to do so, the New York Times said on Friday.

The head of FBI, Robert Mueller, and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales met in Washington last week to discuss a proposal with senior executives from Internet companies, a spokesman told the newspaper.

The meeting included representatives from America Online, Microsoft, Google, Verizon and Comcast.

Mr Gonzales has appointed a task force to explore the issue, and that group is to meet a broader group of Internet executives soon, the spokesman said.

The Justice Department is not asking Internet companies to give it data about users but wants companies to retain information that could be subpoenaed through existing laws.

While initial proposals were vague, executives from companies at the meeting said they gathered the department was interested in records that would allow them to identify which individuals visited certain Web sites.