U.S. warns Americans in Italy

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. State Department warned Tuesday that it had received information that "symbols of American capitalism" in Italy might be targeted by terrorists in the next month.

"U.S. citizens are urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and to increase their security awareness," the State Department statement said. "American citizens are also urged to avoid contact with any suspicious, unfamiliar objects, and to report the presence of the objects to local authorities."

CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT  CNN NewsPass Video  Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998  MORE STORIES Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects Report cites warnings before 9/11  EXTRA INFORMATION Timeline: Who Knew What and When? Interactive: Terror Investigation Terror Warnings System Most wanted terrorists What looks suspicious? In-Depth: America Remembers In-Depth: Terror on Tape In-Depth: How prepared is your city?  RESOURCES On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands? On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk

The State Department described its warning as an update of a worldwide advisory it has issued September 28. That warning said Americans around the world are still at "increased risk of terrorist actions from extremist groups" after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

"Following the attacks on September 11, we have continuing concern based on threatening rhetoric from extremist groups and the potential for further terrorist actions against American citizens and interests," the warning said.

There were increased threats to Americans by Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network and other related extremist groups, a State Department official said after the September 28 warning was issued. He noted that the department has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel from 10 U.S. posts in five countries: Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Indonesia and Yemen.

The official added that there have been several anti-American demonstrations in front of several embassies around the world, and in some countries -- Indonesia in particular -- police protection for U.S. citizens has been "not quite sufficient."

Another State Department official said last month that there had been an increase in threats to Americans immediately following the September 11 attacks, but none had been "specific or credible" enough to "elevate the level of U.S. concern."

-- CNN State Department Correspondent Andrea Koppel and Producer Elise Labott contributed to this report.