Alleged plot reminder of nation's 'war with Islamic fascists': Bush

An allegedplot to bomb commercial aircraft flying from Britain to the United States is a "stark reminder" that the U.S. is "at war with Islamic fascists," U.S. President George W. Bush said Thursday.

Speaking froman airport tarmac in Green Bay,Wis., Bushsaid the U.S. is safer than it wasbefore the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, butwarned it "is a mistake to believe there is no threat to the United States of America.

"This nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom, to hurt our nation," he said.

Earlier, Homeland Security SecretaryMichael Chertoffsaid the alleged plan, which resulted in the arrests of 24 people in Britain, is "suggestive of an al-Qaeda plot."

Chertoff said at a news conference in Washington, D.C.,that the plot had the hallmarks of al-Qaeda,the group responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks on the U.S. that killed close to 3,000 people.

"It was sophisticated, it had a lot of members and it was international in scope."

No evidence of plotting in U.S.

Officials in the U.S. have found no evidence of plotting in the U.S., he said, but they assume that the threat is ongoing and the plot may not have been completely thwarted.

Chertoff said the planning appeared to be well-advanced.

British policeallege Thursday the suspects intended to blow up transatlantic flights in mid-air with explosives smuggled in hand luggage. The suspects are said to be British nationals with links to Pakistan.

Chertoff said, however, that "because the investigation is still underway, we cannot yet form a definitive conclusion."

The U.S. has raised its alert to its highest level ever for commercial flights from Britain to the U.S. The threat level went to red, which means the threat of an attack is severe.

'Close to the execution phase'

Authorities put all other flights, including domestic ones in the U.S., on orange alert, which is one level below red.

The U.S. government banned liquids and gels —including toothpaste, makeup and suntan lotion — from carry-on luggageon flights. The ban excludes baby formula and medicines.

Chertoff said the suspects appeared to be getting close to carrying out their plan.

"We were really getting quite close to the execution phase," he said.

Al-Qaeda continues to make threats against the U.S, mostly through internet postings.

U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said the operation could "potentially kill hundreds of innocent people."

Robert Mueller, the FBI's director,also said the alleged plot pointed to al-Qaeda.

"This had the earmarks of an al-Qaeda plot," he said.