US Won’t Follow UK Lead in Terror Threat Level

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House does not expect the U.S. to raise its terrorism threat warning level.

That's after British authorities raised their terror threat level. Now it is at severe, the country's second highest level. The decision is related to developments in Iraq and Syria, though there is no information to suggest an attack is imminent.

But White House spokesman Josh Earnest says authorities don't expect to raise the level in the U.S. Earnest says U.S. officials are in touch with British counterparts about their decision. He says the U.S. is also monitoring the threat of foreigners fighting alongside militants in Iraq and Syria who could travel back to their home countries.

Prime Minister David Cameron says he'll introduce new laws to combat terror suspects, pledging to seize passports to fight what he described as an extremist threat more dangerous than any previously seen.

Cameron's remarks came just after the announcement on the terror threat level. Cameron told reporters that while the Taliban facilitated al-Qaida terrorism, the Islamic State group is "effectively a state run by terrorists."

"We could be facing a terrorist state on the shores of the Mediterranean and bordering a NATO member," he said.