FBI arrests seven in terrorism plot: source

MIAMI (Reuters) – The FBI arrested seven people in the past
two days suspected of planning attacks on FBI offices and a
federal building in Miami and the Sears Tower in Chicago, a law
enforcement source said on Thursday.

The source, elaborating on a statement on the operation
from Florida authorities, said the suspects had thought they
were dealing with the international al Qaeda group but had been
infiltrated by a U.S. government informant.

“In the past couple of days, the U.S. government has taken
into custody seven people who were conspiring to conduct jihad
(holy war) in the United States,” the law enforcement source
said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“They thought they were dealing with al Qaeda,” the source
said, adding the suspects had been trying to buy weapons and
other things needed to carry out attacks.

The source said the government had an informant with whom
the suspected conspirators had discussed their plans. “There
was no immediate threat because we were in on the discussions.”
the source said.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of
Florida, confirming arrests had taken place but giving no
details, also said there was no threat to people in Miami.

“Earlier today, the FBI, in conjunction with federal, state
and local authorities, executed arrests as part of an ongoing
investigation into a terrorist-related matter,” the statement
said.

CNN reported searches and arrests in the Miami district of
Liberty City. It said no weapons or bomb-making materials were
found.

FBI Director Robert Mueller, in an interview with CNN, said
he could not discuss details because it was a continuing
operation.

“Whenever we undertake an operation like this, we would not
do it without the approval of a judge. We got search warrants
and arrest warrants and the like, and so yes it’s a concern,”
Mueller said.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office statement said news conferences
would be held in Washington and Miami on Friday to provide
further details.

(Additional reporting by Michael Christie and Tom Brown in
Miami and Deborah Charles in Washington)