U.K, U.S. agents foil chemical attack

LONDON, April 6 (UPI) -- U.S. and U.K. intelligence agents have discovered and stopped a plan to detonate a chemical bomb in Britain, the BBC reported Tuesday.

The plotters are thought to be sympathetic to al-Qaida, and the intended target was believed to be British civilians, agents said.

The plot involved detonating a combination of explosive and a chemical called osmium tetroxide. In gas form it could be lethal in a confined space, experts said.

The plot was foiled after U.S. and British intelligence agents intercepted communications among the plotters.

It is not thought that they had obtained the chemical, osmium tetroxide.

Suspects were not immediately identified.