US ban forbids passengers on Middle Eastern airlines from carrying electronic devices

The US has secretly instructed airlines from 13 countries – including Saudi Airlines and Royal Jordanian airlines – to forbid passengers from carrying electrical devices larger than a mobile phone.

Not all of the airlines affected have been revealed but Associated Press have reported that the ban will cover 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East.

The requirement was distributed in a confidential email from the US transportation safety administration on Monday, which specified that passengers would not be able to bring laptops, iPads, Kindles and large cameras on board.

On Monday a US official told Reuters that the ban followed a terrorism threat. An official announcement is expected to be made today.