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Top US terror adviser in Bulgaria to aid bomb probe
US President Barack Obama's anti-terror adviser John Brennan was in Bulgaria on Monday as investigators probed a deadly suicide attack on Israeli tourists, the White House said.
Five Israelis and one Bulgarian died last week when a bomb detonated on a tour bus in the Bulgarian resort of Burgas, and both local and international authorities are trying to identify the suspected suicide attacker.
Israel blames Iran and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah for the bombing. Iran denies any involvement, and the identity of the bomber could have international implications at a moment of mounting Middle East tension.
"Assistant to the president for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John Brennan arrived in Bulgaria for previously scheduled high-level meetings with Bulgarian officials," National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said.
"Last week's horrific terrorist attack in Burgas underscores the importance of our strong partnership and continued cooperation on counterterrorism and law enforcement," he added.
A State Department spokeswoman said the United States is supporting Bulgaria "in every aspect of this investigation... because we want to get to the bottom of it as quickly as possible, as do our Israeli allies, as you can imagine."
Agents from the FBI and the CIA are assisting Bulgarian authorities.
