MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Terrorist attack alert in Buenos Aires.

Argentina bolstered security measures after domestic and foreign intelligence services warned of the possibility of terrorist attacks against American, British and Spanish interests in the country.

Defence Minister Jose Pampuro said that the warnings were received "through different channels, which made them credible," adding that security has been increased at airports, along the borders and at places considered "possible targets of terrorist attacks."

Mr. Pampuro added that surveillance has been increased in "strategic regions," such as the "Triple Border" area where Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil borders converge.

Argentine and foreign intelligence services have long suspected that fundamentalist Islamic terrorist cells and support groups are active in that area which has an important Arab community.

The Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires and an Argentine Jewish community centre were blown to rubble in two different attacks in 1992 and 1994 that left hundreds dead, wounded and maimed. Investigations as to the culprits are ongoing but so far have not solved any of the two cases.

Mr. Pampuro said the warnings of possible terrorist attacks were received this week by the State Intelligence Secretariat and Armed Forces intelligence services. The minister recalled that a similar alert was received "four or five months ago" from foreign intelligence services, which he did not identify.

Britain and Spain are part of the U.S. led military coalition that invaded Iraq and all three countries have substantial investments in Argentina.

For "security reasons" the Argentine Defence Minister did not give further details of the operation.

However a light armoured vehicle from the Federal Police was stationed outside the British Embassy in Buenos Aires and traffic deviated. Police patrol cars mounted guard in the corners of the Spanish and Italian embassies, while at the US legation as well as in Jewish and Muslim centres the usual tight security measures were in place.