Parcel bombs linked to Christmas Day plot

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Syringes linked to the parcel bomb investigation have similarities with the attempted Christmas Day 2009 bombing attempt on a U.S. airliner, authorities say.

The syringes associated with the packages containing explosives found last week gave the two devices discovered on UPS and FedEx air freight planes "all the hallmarks" of the work of the Yemen-based al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula that claimed responsibility for the failed airline bombing attempt, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said.

The two packages sent from Yemen were destined for synagogues in Chicago, CNN reported.

The bombs, disguised as computer printer toner cartridges, were designed to be detonated by a cellphone.

Yemeni authorities say they strongly suspect the explosive devices are the work of Ibrahim Hasan al-Asiri, al-Qaida's top bomb maker in the region.

U.S. authorities are said to also suspect al-Asiri because the parcel bombs used the same explosive, PETN, that was used by last year's foiled underwear bomber.

Nigerian citizen Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, has been charged with attempting to blow up a December 25 flight from the Netherlands to Detroit with an explosive hidden in his underwear.