US faces "credible but unconfirmed" terrorist threats

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - U.S. officials said Thursday evening they have "specific, credible but unconfirmed" information about a potential threat against the United States coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Reuters news agency reports that President Barack Obama on Wednesday ordered a redoubling of counter-terrorism efforts in the face of such threats.

Officials are very cautious in their statements about possible attacks and none has said that the threats are confirmed or imminent, but on condition of complete anonymity, they said for Reuters that the threat involved Washington D.C. and New York City -- the sites involved in the al Qaeda attacks a decade ago this Sunday that killed nearly 3,000 people.

"Sometimes this reporting is credible and warrants intense focus, other times it lacks credibility and is highly unlikely to be reflective of real plots under way," spokesman Matt Chandler said.

"Regardless, we take all threat reporting seriously, and we have taken, and will continue to take all steps necessary to mitigate any threats that arise."

A.Kola