March 19, 2004

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Police said they found no bombs in a search of Washington schools on Friday after receiving a threat via the Internet that explosives had been placed in five schools in the U.S. capital.

"As far as I know, no, nothing has been found as of yet. We were just acting on a threat," said police spokesman Kenny Bryson.

Earlier, police received a threat over an unspecified Internet service that bombs had been planted at five Washington-area schools.

Police searched all schools in the U.S. capital, including private schools, because it was unclear which schools had been targeted, a spokesman said.

An FBI spokeswoman said there had been an Internet threat that bombs would go off at five schools at noon (1700 GMT) on Friday, but the schools and the area were not specified. She said the FBI was on standby and would assist if needed.

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