Report: Iranian security detained one of bin Laden's sons

LONDON -- Iranian security forces have detained one of Osama bin Laden's sons among several hundred people suspected of links to the al-Qaida terror network, the Financial Times reported on its Web site Saturday.

Citing an unidentified Iranian official, the newspaper said Iran had handed bin Laden's son over to authorities in either Saudi Arabia or Pakistan. The paper, which does not appear on Sundays, planned to publish the story in its Monday edition, said spokesman Gregory Roth.

Bin Laden has at least 23 children by several wives.

The newspaper's report could not be verified independently.

Leading lawmaker Ali Shakouri-Rad, a close ally of President Mohammad Khatami, said he had no information on the reported capture. He added that it would be in Iran's interests to announce the capture if it were true, since it is trying to erase any suspicions it has ties to al-Qaida.

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Anne Marks said, "We are aware of the report and are looking into it."

One of bin Laden's oldest children, Saad bin Laden, who is about 22, has emerged as an al-Qaida leader and one of America's top two dozen targets in the network. Mohammed and Ahmed bin Laden also support their father's efforts, U.S. officials say.

The official quoted by the Financial Times did not identify the son he said was detained.

The paper quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi as saying the group numbered about 250 and that all the suspects had been returned to their home countries.

FBI tried to re-create anthrax used in mailings

WASHINGTON -- FBI director Robert Mueller said investigators had sought to "replicate" the powdery anthrax that was used in last year's lethal mailings to aid their search for the sender of the spores that killed five people.

It has long been known that the bureau has turned to scientists to solve the case, after thousands of interviews and a global search for clues have failed to turn up a suspect.

But until Friday, bureau officials had not acknowledged that they have actually tried to re-create the anthrax as part of their effort to determine how the material might have been made.

Neither Mueller nor other law enforcement officials would say whether the replicated anthrax involved live anthrax spores or used dead material.

The FBI has referred to its research effort as a reverse engineering project that had gone far beyond the known limits of forensic science. In effect, scientists are trying to create anthrax to learn what equipment and laboratory procedures were used to manufacture the deadly anthrax. The results would help investigators by narrowing their search to those laboratories capable of producing the same type of spore material.

In his session with reporters on Friday, Mueller offered no specifics on the scientific effort, nor would he describe any findings, but he said the FBI was making progress in the case.

Mueller acknowledged that the bureau had no suspects and was continuing to examine the backgrounds of a number of people. Investigators have a list of several dozen people, which is updated periodically as possible subjects are added or deleted.

The research that is under way is based on the anthrax in the letter sent on Oct. 9, 2001, to Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt. The Leahy letter was the only one of the four letters recovered in the case that contained enough anthrax to permit extensive scientific testing.

Friends, family remember diplomat killed in Jordan

SILVER SPRING, Md. -- Laurence Foley, the U.S. aid worker killed in a possible terrorist attack in Jordan, was remembered Saturday as a big, boisterous man whose humor and mischievous charm won him and his country countless friends.

About 250 people attended a memorial service at a Unitarian Universalist church outside Washington that was marked by more laughter than tears and more talk of his zest for life than his violent death.

"First, he hit you with his humor," said his son, Michael. "Then, when you weren't looking, he'd smack you with his integrity."

Foley, 60, was shot at close range Monday in front of his home in Amman. The gunman escaped. No arrests have been made, but Islamic extremists are suspected.

Before his Jordan assignment, Foley had postings in the Philippines, Bolivia, Peru and Zimbabwe for the U.S. Agency for International Development and, previously, for the Peace Corps

Family and friends took turns describing how Foley loved his travels and his work. He took delight in the people he met, "that humanity came in so many shapes and sizes," said his daughter Megan.

Many recalled how he reveled in the quirky moments in the life of an aid worker: spending a night in a chicken coop to find out why hens were mysteriously dying, eating at a Philippine restaurant built out of an old Elvis Presley airplane or having an elegant Indian man pointed to his freckles and ask, "Is that your desire, or is that a disease?"

In addition to Michael and Megan, Foley is survived by his wife, Virginia, another daughter, Jeremie, and two grandchildren.

Americans in Philippines warned of terror threats

WASHINGTON -- The State Department heightened its alert to Americans in the Philippines on Saturday with a warning of a potential for terror bombings during the holiday season.

Americans traveling or living in the Philippines were advised to be especially cautious.

The U.S. government has information that suggests terror groups may be planning attacks in the Philippines through the New Year holiday, the department said.

The deadly bombing last month in a nightclub in Bali, Indonesia, signals the possibility of similar attacks in the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries, the department said.

Extremist groups such as Jemaa Islamiyah, an Indonesian group of Islamic militants that the department designated a foreign terrorist organization Oct. 23, are capable of carrying out attacks against Westerners wherever they congregate, the statement said.

Americans were urged to avoid crowds and to be especially careful using public transportation.

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