US ‘to ban passengers from 12 countries from carrying electronic devices’

The US is planning to to ban passengers from around 12 countries from carrying most electronic devices on America-bound flights, officials have said.

The ban, which follows an unspecified terrorist threat, is expected to be announced tomorrow and has been under consideration for several weeks, the source told Reuters.

No details have emerged as to exactly which countries have been affected but Royal Jordanian Airlines is advising passengers that laptops, iPads, cameras and other electronics won’t be allowed in carry-on luggage.

The airline says in a tweet that cellphones and medical devices are excluded from the ban.

Saudi Arabia is also expected to be affected by the ruling as are other countries from the Middle East.

Al Riyadh newspaper, which is close to the Saudi government, reported that the civil aviation authority had informed ‘airlines flying from the kingdom’s airports of the latest measures from U.S. security agencies.’

However, no American carriers will be affected by the ban on devices larger than a cell phone.

Both the U.S. Homeland Security Department and White House have declined to comment.