UN, Nov 21: The al Qaeda terror network may attempt a biological or chemical terrorist attack in a "just a matter of time," according to an yet unpublished United Nations report. Some members of the al-Qaeda terror network are also likely to possess portable surface-to-air missiles and may use them to target military transport planes. The threats were among several findings detailed in the report by the United Nations' al-Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee which also cited a shifting of the terror network's strategy, a move towards "softer" targets and a warning the group was working towards a biological or chemical attack, a news channel reported quoting the report. Heraldo Munoz, the Chilean ambassador to the UN. And head of the sanctions committee, said the panel believes it's "just a matter of time" before al-Qaeda attempts a biological or chemical terrorist attack.

"The only restraint they are facing is the technical complexity to operate them properly and effectively," he said. "All I can say at this point is that al-Qaeda and some of the associates have tried to get hold of chemical and biological weapons." However, the killings and detentions of several members of al-Qaeda has damaged the terror network, Munoz said.

Bureau Report