MEXICO CITY, Aug. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Salvadorian President Antonio Saca said Saturday the so-called threats by Islamic groups againsthis country may be from the hands of political rivals, according to reports from San Salvador, capital of the Central American country.

    The security authorities have not proved yet the veracity of the threats, Saca told radio station YSKL.

    "It rather seems the threats are ill attempts from certain individuals in El Salvador to cause instability and confusion," and "some of them have terms" that sound quite local, he said.

    Saca added that neither the existence of such groups that supposedly launched the threats nor the veracity of the messages has been confirmed. But the alleged threats have made him order the authorities to intensify security in strategic sectors, including harbors and diplomatic buildings.

    Supposed Islamic groups have said on the Internet that they will stage attacks against El Salvador for keeping its military troops in Iraq.

    The Salvadorian National Security Council has undertaken a thorough investigation and contacted world intelligence organizations. Until now the veracity of these threats has not been confirmed.

    El Salvador sent its first contingent of 360 soldiers to Iraq in August 2003. A third contingent of 380 Salvadorian soldiers will be sent to the Iraq on Aug. 17.

    El Salvador is now the only Latin American country which still has troops in Iraq. Nicaragua, Honduras and the Dominican Republic have withdrawn their troops. Enditem