Hijackers may have sought lethal goods

Washington - The US Attorney General, Mr John Ashcroft, said yesterday that individuals, with possible links to the hijackers…

Washington - The US Attorney General, Mr John Ashcroft, said yesterday that individuals, with possible links to the hijackers who terrorised the US, obtained or tried to obtain licences to transport hazardous materials.

Mr Ashcroft issued the new warning as the FBI sought nearly 400 people for questioning in the terrorist attacks and federal prosecutors worked to build a criminal case involving identification cards for five of the now-dead hijackers. One man was charged with aiding the hijackers.

In France meanwhile, anti-terrorist police detained at least four people yesterday in connection with a planned attack on the US Embassy in Paris and other American interests in France. Seven people were already in custody in France in connection with the alleged plot.