Interpol issues arrest notice for 'white widow'

PARIS - Interpol said on Thursday it had issued an international arrest notice for Samantha Lewthwaite, the British woman dubbed the "white widow", at the request of Kenya.

"An INTERPOL Red Notice, or internationally wanted persons alert, has been issued for UK national Samantha Lewthwaite at the request of authorities in Kenya," Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble announced in a statement.

"Lewthwaite, aged 29, who is also believed to use the alias 'Natalie Webb', is wanted by Kenya on charges of being in possession of explosives and conspiracy to commit a felony dating back to December 2011," said Interpol.

"Through the INTERPOL Red Notice, Kenyan authorities have ensured that all 190 member countries are aware of the danger posed by this woman, not just across the region but also worldwide," said the head of Interpol.

The Interpol's notice comes after Kenyan forces on Tuesday defeated attackers from Somali militant group Al-Shabaab at a shopping mall in Nairobi which saw a death toll of 72 people, including five terrorists in the four-day fighting, and 11 suspects in custody.

However, Interpol did not mention the Nairobi shopping mall attack in its Red Notice.