WASHINGTON, May 26 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States has "credible intelligence" that al Qaeda is almost ready to launch an attack inthe United States this summer, Attorney General John Ashcroft saidon Wednesday.

    "Credible intelligence from multiple sources indicates that al Qaeda plans to attempt an attack on the United States in the next few months," Ashcroft told a Justice Department news conference.

    Reports said the possible attack may target at a number of high-profile political events in the country in the next months, which include the G-8 summit in Georgia next month, the Democratic National Convention in Boston in July, the Republican National Convention in New York in late August and the November elections.

    The intelligence, together with recent public statements attributed to al Qaeda, suggests that "it is almost ready to attack the United States," he said.

    Ashcroft also issued a warning about seven al Qaeda suspects who could be involved in the attack plot, who "present a clear andpresent danger to America."

    FBI Director Robert Mueller also cited a heightened threat to US interests around the world at the press conference, but he saidthe authorities did not know by far "what form the threat might take."

    The attack might take place before the November presidential election in an attempt to affect the outcome, similar to how the Madrid train bombings influenced Spanish elections in March, reports said. Enditem