Security Increased at Los Angeles Airport After Release of Bin Laden Tape

The Los Angeles Police Department increased security today at the city's airport and port in response to threats from Osama bin Laden, who warned of future terrorist attacks against the United States.

Bin Laden's tape recorded statement -- which did not list any specific targets -- was first broadcast today by the Arab television station Al Jazeera.

"At this time there is no known direct threat to Los Angeles, but as always we remain vigilant and encourage our residents to do the same," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said today.

U.S. counterterrorism officials said today that they have no credible intelligence indicating a terrorist attack on the United States.

The LAPD deployed more officers and bomb-sniffing dogs to search passengers and vehicles entering Los Angeles International Airport and the Port of Los Angeles, Villaraigosa said.

"Ever since Sept. 11, the Los Angeles Police Department has always remained vigilant, and the activity at LAX is a pre-planned operation that we enforce whenever there is a direct or indirect terrorist threat," said Officer Jason Lee of the LAPD's media relations division.

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