Britain downgrades terror threat

The British government downgraded its terror threat level from critical to severe Monday while police hold 23 people accused of plotting toblow up as many as 10 commercial flights heading to the United States.

The level was declared critical last week after the alleged plot was made public and the suspects arrested.

"I want to stress that the change in the threat level does not mean that the threat has gone away," Home Secretary John Reid said Monday.

"There is still a very serious threat of an attack. The threat level is at severe, indicating the high likelihood of an attempted terrorist attack at some stage, and I urge the public to remain vigilant," he added.

In the aftermath of the arrests, Britain's air services continued to move more slowly than normal. At London's busy Heathrow airport on Sunday, about one-third of the flights were cancelled.

Officials blamed stringent new screening rules imposed on Aug. 10, which include a ban on all carry-on luggage.

Police arrested 24 people across England on Thursday in connection with an alleged plot to blow up as many as 10 passenger planes flying between Britain and the United States. Authorities have accused the suspects of planning to smuggle explosives onto the flights.

One suspect was released without charge, and a court will decide Monday on the detention of another.

The suspects are said to be British nationals with links to Pakistan. The Bank of England released the names of 19 suspects on Friday and said that their assets had been frozen.

Brothers accused of leading plot

On Saturday, officials in Pakistan said two brothers arrested in that country and in Britain have emerged as lead figures in the investigation of the alleged plot.

Rashid Rauf, who was arrested along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan about a week ago, has been listed as a "key person" in the investigation, authorities with Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said.

Rauf's brother, Tayib Rauf, 22, was arrested in Britain. Police there have refused to comment on reports that a third brother is among the 40 people who have been detained in the two countries.