WASHINGTON, July 1 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation warned local law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for attacks ahead of the first post-September 11 Independence Day celebration, government officials said Sunday, June 30.

A series of secret communications between FBI headquarters here and police departments across the country warned that Fourth of July celebrations, attracting large crowds looking forward to fireworks shows and public activities, could be targets for “foreign militants”, one of the officials told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

U.S. President George W. Bush’s administration issued the message to remain vigilant, stating that the national holiday is an attractive symbol to potential terrorists, but encouraged people not to let the warnings inhibit them from participating in July 4 events.

“We have nothing specifically about the Fourth of July,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “But the Fourth of July is a national celebration with large crowds, and we are reminding people to be vigilant and be aware of their surroundings.”

As it gears up for the celebrations, the FBI has not issued any public security alerts, criticized in the past as excessively frequent, alarmist and lacking specificity and corroboration.

Instead, the official said, it has “reached out to our law enforcement partners on the state and local level in view of the big holiday.”

Saying the FBI and CIA were working with intelligence and law enforcement at all levels to examine the threat potential, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation” called it a “prudent alert” stating the government would be assessing the potential for additional threats in the coming days, reports CNN.

“But I hope most Americans will go about their business and enjoy the Fourth of July. I intend to,” Powell reassured viewers.

“The administration looks constantly at the threat level,” National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said on CNN’s “Late Edition.”

“And right now we believe everything’s being done that should be done to try and make July 4th as safe as possible.”

According to U.S. daily newspaper, the New York Times, which first reported the warning on its website earlier Saturday, June 29, the secret instructions went out of FBI headquarters last Wednesday.

But the official said FBI executives began discussing preparations for the Fourth of July with the agency’s 56 field offices several weeks ago and have continued ever since.

“We are keeping the lines of communication open,” the official pointed out.

In addition, the FBI plans to monitor and protect major parades and festivities as a precaution against an attack, news agencies report.

On top of that, the nation’s leading law enforcement agency has set up a special command center in Washington charged with coordinating security arrangements for July 4, which are expected to be particularly tight this year.

The U.S. military will resume air patrols over major American cities, including Washington, New York and Los Angeles, while the Federal Aviation Administration has declared no-fly zones over national landmarks, officials said.

The landmarks include the Statue of Liberty in New York, Mount Rushmore in South Dakota and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.

For the first time in years, fences and security checkpoints will surround the Washington Mall, a grassy esplanade stretching from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol building where people traditionally congregate on July 4, according to local police officials.

Metal detectors will scan those wishing to enter and their bags and coolers will be searched, the officials said.

Washington, DC Mayor Anthony Williams, commenting on the increased security following September 11 and its effect on the tourist industry, said, “People have come back to this city, they’re visiting this city once again, and I think we can show, as we’ve shown over the last few months, that we can have an open city and a safe city. People have to allow more time now.”

The New York Police Department is installing around the city radiation detectors that could help find so-called “dirty” radiation bombs that operatives of Al-Qaeda are allegedly preparing to use on U.S. soil.

U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that al-Qaeda has sleeper cells in the United States waiting for the right time to strike.

FBI Director Robert Mueller reinforced that message Friday when he warned that Americans are facing an “elusive” and “nearly invisible” enemy.

“And the fight on the front lines are right here at home in our own streets, in our own cities and in our own neighborhoods,” Mueller warned.

New opinion polls released Saturday showed Americans were well aware of the threat, but were reluctant to adjust their holiday plans.

Forty-five percent of those surveyed by Newsweek magazine said July 4 attacks against U.S. targets were somewhat likely, while 12% said they were very likely.