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Al-Qaida terror plot foiled, say French police Jon Henley in Paris Monday January 12, 2004 The Guardian (UK) The French police are convinced that their country has escaped a planned chemical or biological attack by an Islamist cell linked to al-Qaida. An interior ministry official said evidence from Islamist militants arrested in the Lyon area last week made it "very plain" that an attack with the deadly botulism or ricin toxins was being actively prepared. The eight suspects arrested on Tuesday were mainly relatives of Menad Benchellali, the son of a radical imam in the Lyon suburb of Venisseux, who...

An Islamic terrorist cell was poised to launch biological or chemical attacks in France and possibly Britain last year, say French police. They were ready to use the deadly toxins ricin and botulism. French magistrates were expected last night to launch an official investigation into six suspects, five of whom were arrested last week in the Lyon area. Information from the group confirmed that an attack was "on the verge of being launched" last year. Investigators are examining if there is a link between the findings and a small amount of ricin seized in Britain last January, he said. France's...

1. This is a question for those who might know. 2. Saddam has yet to turn over the 1st liter of anthrax or chemical agent or other biologic agent. 3. Does old agent need to be replaced with new to remain "weapons grade" agent? 4. If age of sample can be determined, then turning over even one liter would verify that he has been/is currently producing these things. 5. Perhaps this has been answered before. If so, sorry. In any case, an answer would be appreciated.

157 poison bombs: Spleen fire, mushroom poisons, Botulin Iraq admits possession of bio weapons Now it is safe: The Iraq possesses bio weapons. That admitted Saddam Husseins disarmament advisor Amer aluminium Saadi on Sunday. Its people therefore found 157 bombs with spleen fire exciters, mushroom poisons (Aflatoxin) and the poison Botulin! Iraqi soldiers dig for the bombs, could save so far eight pieces intact. The agents were untraceable after representation of the UN Waffenkontrolleure so far, but somewhere available. Bagdad had denied, no documents over the destruction of the weapons had submitted. Now also such a paper emerged after...