Friday, July 22 2005 20:04 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: The heightened alert level instituted two weeks ago for US mass transit systems is likely to be prolonged after the latest terrorist attacks in London.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and his staff discussed the mass transit alert levels several times yesterday (July 21, 2005), before and after the attacks, said two counter terror officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the information.

At the first meeting, senior national security officials were described as leaning toward dropping the transit system from orange, the second highest level signifying high risk, back to yellow, signifying an elevated risk, although no final decision was made.

By early afternoon, however, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said, "There is no plan at this time to chanthe alert level for our mass transit systems."

Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Brian Besanceney said, "Certainly, as we look at the threat level, we will factor in the information and intelligence we're receiving from the UK, as well as information we're getting from other sources, as we consider what the right protective measures are."

Meanwhile, alarmed by a new round of mass transit attacks in London, police in New York have begun random searches of bags and packages brought into the city's vast subway system and elsewhere.

The inspections started on a small scale yesterday in Manhattan and were to be expanded during this morning's rush hour.

The new measures netted one arrest almost immediately, with authorities saying a man with a record involving a pipe bomb was found with a weapons cache outside a Long Island commuter train station.