Ahead of Osama death anniversary, US 'especially vigilant' about aviation terror threat

Washington, Apr 30 (ANI): White House counter terrorism adviser John Brennan has said that the United States is on alert and 'especially vigilant' as the first anniversary of the death of former Al Qaeda chief Osama bin laden looms.

He said that while Washington does not visualize an active plot, it has anticipated a possible strike by the Yemeni affiliate of Al Qaeda.

ABC News quoted Brennan as confirming that the Yemeni offshoot of Al Qaeda could target the American aviation sector.

"Aviation has been a target, has been a traditional target of al Qaeda. We need to maintain our vigilance, particularly overseas at these last points of departure," Brennan said.

Brennan said that al Qaeda's capability has been 'degraded significantly' and that bin Laden's death has made a 'tremendous difference'.

Brennan declined to address Republican criticism that the Obama campaign had politicized the killing of bin Laden and suggested that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney might not have taken action against bin Laden.

"All that I know is that the president made the decision when he was given the opportunity to take a gutsy decision, to carry out that raid with our Special Forces in Abbottabad, Pakistan," Brennan said.

"We're safer today as a result," he added. (ANI)