Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – The United States on Monday decided to send mixed signals on the travel alert issued by the U.S. State Department as the White House noted that the particular information “isn’t related to the United States.”

During regular briefing, Robert Gibbs, the White House spokesman told journalists, “The alert that was issued by the State Department is based on information about potential threats in Europe. We want travelers to be alert and aware,” adding, “The particular threat information, as I said, deals with Europe and isn’t related to the United States.”

Gibbs, however, said, “We certainly know that al Qaeda and its affiliates seek to do us harm and attack us here. So we are — we remain vigilant about protecting our homeland.”

Gibbs said that there is “an extensive amount of information on the State Department’s website,” but added, “This is not a warning, travel warning, telling people not to go.”

In reply to another question, Gibbs directed anyone interested in details to visit travel.state.gov, saying, “Obviously, in terms of being aware of your surroundings, understanding how to move throughout those surroundings; where to go in the event of an emergency; how to act in terms of traveling alone, traveling at night; things that are important to be aware of — again, suspicious activity, who to go to, what to tell them, and what to be on the lookout for.”

Earlier on Saturday, the State Department alerted “U.S. citizens to the potential for terrorist attacks in Europe,” noting, “Current information suggests that al Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks.”

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