BBC News
September 16, 2001

US preparations for military strikes are increasing Senior US officials have issued warnings that up to 60 countries supporting perceived terrorists face the "full wrath" of American military might.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the US would engage in a "multi-headed effort" to target terrorist organisations and up to 60 countries believed to be supporting them.

The US, Mr Rumsfeld told American TV, "had no choice" other than to pursue terrorists and countries giving them refuge, following Tuesday's suicide plane attacks on New York and Washington.

Vice-President Dick Cheney said US strategy was to "aggressively go after" Osama Bin Laden, the Afghan-based Saudi-born dissident identified by the US as the mastermind of Tuesday's attacks.

The statements came as President Bush consulted his top advisers at his Camp David retreat on plans for a military response to the attacks, in which more than 5,000 people are believed to have died.

In other developments:

US Attorney-General John Ashcroft says he will ask Congress for stronger anti-terrorism laws, including wider phone-tapping powers

Pakistan is sending a delegation to Afghanistan to persuade the Taleban to hand over Osama Bin Laden Mr Bin Laden issues his first direct denial of involvment in the attacks

Afghan citizens flee built-up areas fearing imminent US air attacks

New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani reports that 180 bodies have now been recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, while 5,097 people remain missing

US Vice-President Dick Cheney says that after Tuesday's attacks, orders were given to shoot down any further unauthorised passenger flights over New York and Washington

Officials have made it clear that, apart from air or missile strikes, the use of ground troops may be under consideration, to destroy the network behind last Tuesday's attacks, and then try to eradicate state-sponsored terrorism.

But the BBC Washington correspondent says the US would like to build a firm coalition of states supporting its action before launching any retaliation, even if that means some delay.

Opinion polls show strong support among Americans for the use of military force against whoever was responsible for last Tuesday's attacks.

Mr Bush has singled out Osama Bin Laden as the prime suspect.

But his top officials stressed on Sunday that the problem was much wider than just one man.

Vice-President Cheney singled out the Egyptian group Islamic Jihad on NBC's Meet the Press programme.

Threat to Taleban

And he issued an emphatic warning to Mr Bin Laden's hosts, Afghanistan: "They have to understand, and others like them around the world have to understand, that if you provide sanctuary to terrorists, you face the full wrath of the United States of America." The Saudi-born dissident issued a statement on Sunday denying any involvement in the attacks.

"The US is pointing the finger at me but I categorically state that I have not done this," he was quoted as saying by the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press news agency.

Hopes of finding anyone else alive in the New York ruins have receded

US Secretary of State Colin Powell has meanwhile welcomed Pakistan's decision to allow the US full co-operation, possibly including the use of its airspace.

Mr Bush has backed this up by telephoning Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to thank him for his government's support. The Taleban has warned Pakistan that it faces war if it allows the US to launch an attack from its territory. Noble Eagle

At the same time, the president's military advisers are concerned that the immediate threat of attacks on US civilian targets is not over and a plan - Operation Noble Eagle - has been launched to improve defences. The extent of the damage at the Pentagon has become clearer.

Warplanes are patrolling the skies above major US cities and military installations, warship battle groups are on guard off the country's east and west coasts, and tens of thousands of reservists have been called up to protect the homeland.

Throughout New York memorial services are being held on Sunday, with thousands expected to attend the main ceremony at St Patrick's cathedral.

The message from White House aides is that Mr Bush wants ordinary Americans to defy those who carried out the attacks by returning to the normal course of their lives as soon as possible.

New York's Stock Exchange, which has been closed since the attack on the heart of the city's financial district, is due to reopen on Monday -- as is the US baseball season, suspended as a mark of respect.