Saudis tip off Europe on Al Qaeda terror strike

Fresh terror strike warnings have been sounded in Europe, particularly in France following new tip offs by the Saudi intelligence triggering authorities to put law enforcement agencies on high alert.

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The warning of a potential attack by Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was received 'in the last few hours', the French Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux told a European television network.

"The threat is real", The Independent reported quoting the French minister telling the RTL television in an interview.

Hortefeux said the warnings had been received from the Saudi intelligence and are the latest in the series of alerts that have put French security forces and intelligence agencies and other agencies in Europe on high alert.

"We must not underestimate or over estimate the threat," the minister said. "We are directly concerned."

France, Germany and UK are already on high alert following interrogations of a German Al-Qaeda member caught on Afghan-Pak border, that Al Qaeda is planning terror strikes in Europe.

American Fox television had also reported that authorities had uncovered Al Qaeda plot to hit world famous tourist attractions like Eiffel tower, Notre Dame Cathedral in France, Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and other hot spots.

France began boosting security last month at these sites, which were twice evacuated of tourists after false claims of an attack.

The US, Japanese as well as Spain have issued travel advisories to its citizens living or travelling in Europe to take precautions, following reports that terrorists may be plotting attacks on a European city, possibly a shooting spree similar to the deadly 2008 attacks in Mumbai in India.