Canadians among FBI terror suspects

Two Canadian citizens are among seven suspects the FBI is trying to find as it investigates threats that al-Qaeda may be planning to attack the United States this summer.

At a news conference in Washington, D.C., FBI director Robert Mueller displayed photos of the seven and asked anyone with information about them to notify authorities.

Mueller said one of the Canadians, Kuwaiti-born Amer El-Maati, is a licensed pilot. He said the suspect is believed to have discussed hijacking a plane and flying it into a building in the U.S. El-Maati's father still lives in Toronto.

He said the other Canadian, Abderraouf Jdey, appeared in a martyrdom video seized in Afghanistan. He was allegedly selected to receive flight training in preparation for a second attack.

The lone American on the list is a convert to Islam and attended militant training camps in Afghanistan, the FBI said.

"They all pose a clear and present danger to America," U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said.

Ashcroft said he had no information on where or how any future attacks might occur.

Intelligence sources suggest that al-Qaeda operatives may travel with a family to lower their profile, he said, adding that the group is believed to be seeking recruits who can portray themselves as Europeans.

Mueller said al-Qaeda targets could include the political conventions in New York and Boston.

The Democratic convention is being held in Boston in late July. The Republican convention will be held in late August in New York.

Group of Eight leaders are planning to meet June 9 on Sea Island in Georgia.

"There is no specific threat to the safety and security of Canadians at this time," Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan told reporters in Edmonton.

"We're working closely with our American allies and our allies around the world," she said, adding that she has spoken with Ashcroft and will be in contact with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge.