Countries step up security against violence

In Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim nation, minority radical groups demanded that the country cut diplomatic ties with the…

In Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim nation, minority radical groups demanded that the country cut diplomatic ties with the United States and its allies and threatened jihad (holy war) and retaliation against Americans and other foreigners.

The capital Jakarta was largely quiet and security tight, with 40 armoured cars parading through the city centre.

Police in the Philippines, where security forces are battling a secessionist group linked to bin Laden, said they had stepped up security at high-profile targets in the Manila area, including the main oil depot which is located near the presidential palace and the international airport.

Western expatriates went to work in Saudi Arabia despite increased security warnings from their embassies, though the American School in the capital Riyadh closed as a precaution and Britons were asked to vary their routes to work and schedules.

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Security has been tightened also at Israeli missions abroad and at Jewish centres, with bin Laden using the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation as a rallying cry to action.

Israel's Defence Ministry said the US offensive "does not raise any threats for Israel", but ordinary Israelis, mindful of Iraqi Scud missile attacks in the 1991 Gulf War, crowded into gas mask distribution centres yesterday to renew equipment.

Most countries had already increased security after the September 11th attacks. Several governments closely allied to the United States bolstered precautions still further following Sunday's air strikes.

"We have to reckon with an isolated act of violence, probably against an American or British building," German Interior Minister Otto Schily told ARD television. "As a result we have raised security precautions considerably." Schily urged citizens not to succumb to exaggerated fears.

South Korea and Japan, hosts to tens of thousands of US troops, both said they had tightened security at key installations including at Japanese nuclear reactors.

Frankfurt airport in Germany, continental Europe's busiest passenger hub, said it was increasing security for all flights operated by British airlines after Sunday's military strikes.

In Spain, travellers from Madrid were advised to turn up for flights four hours early because of extra security while Greece banned smaller aircraft from its skies.