Domestic Terror Squads On Alert In US

Intelligence chief blames militant's death on Hezbollah or Syria 

Feb. 17, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. intelligence chief said Sunday that internal Hezbollah groups or Syria may be to blame for the killing of a Hezbollah commander that has led the FBI to put domestic terror squads on alert in the United States.

Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell said the United States is still reviewing the case following the death last Tuesday of commander Imad Mughniyeh. Hezbollah blamed Israel and has pledged to attack Jewish targets worldwide in retaliation. That led the FBI last week to be vigilant for possible threats in the U.S. against synagogues and other potential Jewish targets.

McConnell said he considers the threat to be primarily against Israel. But he said U.S. intelligence officials are keeping close watch and taking any necessary action to protect the United States because Mughniyeh has been "responsible for more deaths of Americans and Israelis than any other terrorist with the exception of Osama bin Laden."

It is a serious threat," McConnell said. "There's some evidence it may have been internal Hezbollah, it may have been Syria. We don't know yet, and we're trying to sort that out."

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