Special Report: Major UK Air Terror Plot Thwarted    

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Sunday lowered from red to orange the threat level on flights from Britain to the United States.

    The decision came as Britain downgraded its terror threat level from "critical" to "severe."

    Britain raised its security threat to its highest "critical" level, meaning an attack is expected imminently, after British police foiled a plot on Thursday at Heathrow Airport to blow up 10 U.S.-bound commercial airliners in mid-air. Twenty-four suspects were arrested.

    States Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in a statement that although the change was effective immediately, the ban on liquids and gels in carry-on baggage remained in full effect.

    He also stressed the downgrade "does not mean the threat is over. The investigation continues to follow all leads. In particular, we are remaining vigilant for any signs of planning within the U.S. or directed at Americans." Enditem