Italian police have discovered a hole carved recently into a wall of a utility tunnel near the U.S. embassy in Rome.

Italian news reports say investigators are now trying to determine if the hole is linked to four Moroccans arrested last week on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack.

Immediately after the arrests, investigators discovered the hole in a tunnel that carries water, gas, phone and electricity service to the U.S. embassy and other buildings in the area.

Investigators believe the hole was made sometime after January 15, the last time the narrow channels were checked.

The four suspects had large quantities of a cyanide compound and maps marking the American embassy and Rome's water supply when they were arrested, as well as false immigration papers.

Authorities are also investigating possible links between the Moroccans and a Milan-based Islamic cell, whose members are suspected of having ties to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida terror network.

Italian security forces have been on high alert since the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher welcomed the arrests, stressing this latest incident shows the continuing danger posed by terrorisst and the need to remain vigilant.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

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