The International Civil Aviation Organization, acting on a Japanese government proposal, has agreed to strengthen international aviation rules aimed at preventing civil aircraft from being used as terrorist weapons.
According to officials, the ICAO on Friday also adopted a Japanese-proposed initiative requiring stricter inspection of carry-on luggage on domestic flights in line with standards already set for international service.
The ICAO adopted the resolutions on the final day of a 10-day assembly meeting in Montreal, Canada, where the specialized U.N. agency is based.
The ICAO assembly asked the ICAO governing council to discuss and draw up specific policies in order to bolster air travel safety in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the United States.
The ICAO assembly also decided to hold a ministerial conference before the end of the year.
The organization issued a strong condemnation of the Sept. 11 attacks and vowed to cooperate in the international fight against terrorism.