Bush dismisses 'two-bit terrorists' after Peru blast

Security has been strengthened for George Bush's visit to Peru tomorrow - the first by a serving US leader - after a car bomb outside the US embassy in Lima killed nine people.

"No two-bit terrorists are going to prevent me from doing what we need to do, and that is to promote our friendship in the hemisphere," Mr Bush said when asked if would cancel his trip. "I'm still going."

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack on Wednesday night, although the US suspect that it was the work of Shining Path leftwing guerrillas.

Jhon Caro, a former director of Peru's anti-terrorism police, said it was probably provoked by "Bush's declarations that he is going to fight against terrorism around the world".

The blast blew out the windows of banks and shops in the street facing the embassy but the embassy itself, set well back from the road, was unharmed. Thirty people were injured.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s hundreds of Peruvians died in attacks by the Maoist Shining Path rebels and the smaller Tupac Amaru movement. They have recently increased activity in jungle areas once again.

The Peruvian interior minister, Fernando Rospigliosi, said several terrorist groups had apparently become active in Lima in the days leading up to Mr Bush's planned 17-hour visit.

In November Shining Path militants were arrested for allegedly planning to set off a car bomb outside the US embassy.

Mr Bush is expected to discuss regional security and trade with the Peruvian president, Alejandro Toledo, in Lima as part of a four-day tour of Latin America. He is also visiting Mexico and El Salvador.