On Thursday, two days after the worst attack mainland United States has seen in modern times, moves were under way to trace -- and bring retribution upon -- those responsible for the devastation.
Here is a summary of the key events:
- US authorities say they have identified most of the hijackers of the four planes used as fuel-laden missiles for the attacks on New York and Washington. People who may have had contact with the hijackers before the attacks were taken in for questioning, and searches were conducted on cars and lodgings believed to have been used by the attackers. One person is detained in Germany in connection with the US investigation. Police there were looking for another man, a Moroccan.
- Rescue and body-recovery efforts continued at the site where the World Trade Center (WTC) once stood in New York, and at the damaged Pentagon in Washington. At least 82 bodies were pulled out of the rubble of the WTC by Thursday, but mayor Rudolph Giuliani -- who confirmed 6,000 body bags were being brought in -- said the final death toll at the site would likely be in the thousands.
- The United States' 18 NATO allies invoked a never-before-used NATO mutual defense clause which considers the attacks, if they were made by a group outside the United States, an aggression on all of them, opening the way to a full military response by the entire alliance if necessary. Russia, not a NATO member, also closed ranks with the alliance and promised its cooperation.
- Hundreds of thousands of air travellers remained stranded around the world as US airspace, closed since the attacks, is only partially open. Airport and aircraft security measures in most countries are greatly tightened. A gradual resumption of flights was expected to gather pace later Thursday.
- The European Central Bank injects a further 40.5 billion euros (36 billion dollars) into the financial system to try to bring stability to world markets spooked by the closure of Wall Street. Injections were made Wednesday by the ECB and the US Federal Reserve, calming market panic somewhat, but all eyes will be on the New York stock market -- the world's biggest -- when it re-opens Friday or Monday.
- Foreigners, including almost all aid workers, were leaving Afghanistan as fears grew that US and allied strikes were imminent. Unofficial suspicions have focused on Saudi-born extremist Osama bin Laden as the mastermind of the attacks. He is being sheltered by the Taliban who rule Afghanistan.
- Friday has been declared a day of mourning across Europe -- NEW YORK (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
