LOS ANGELES, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. National Guard troops were deployed at Los Angeles International Airport Friday as part of heightened security in wake of a foiled terror plot to blow up airliners flying from Britain to the United States.

    About 200 Guard members reported to the airport early in the morning and they were assisting the Transportation Security Administration in performing secondary screenings at boarding gates, according to airport spokeswoman Nancy Castles.

    The troops, both men and women, were unarmed and performed their duties under the control of the airport's federal Security Director, said Castles.

    California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger earlier ordered that National Guard troops, bomb-sniffing dogs and California Highway Patrol resources be deployed at airports and other ``high priority locations" in the state to respond to the terror threat.

    They will supplement an already beefed-up security presence, including hundreds of uniformed and plainclothes officers, some with dogs, from the airport police and various federal law enforcement agencies.

    Tighter security at Los Angeles International Airport led to some long lines Thursday as screeners enforced stepped-up rules --including a ban on carry-on liquids such as drinks, perfume, hair gels and lotions.

    But airport officials reported Friday that waits at security lines were getting back to normal, as a result of more passengers checking their bags.

    The ban on carry-on liquids reflected the nature of the attack planned in Britain. British authorities said the terrorists were planning to carry liquid explosives aboard airliners in drink containers.

    Some electronic items, including key fobs of the type that switch car alarms on and off, were also banned as carry-on luggage, but passengers may still bring lap top computers and MP3 players onboard.

    Due to tightened security measures, passengers were advised to come to the airport between two and three hours early for domestic flights and between three to four hours ahead of time for international flights.

    The terror plot targeted nonstop flights from London to Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York City and Washington, D.C., reports said.

    Five airlines, including Air New Zealand, American Airlines, British Airways, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airlines, operate a total of 20 daily non-stop flights between London and Los Angeles. Enditem