EU says liquids restrictions could be lifted

updated 3:41 p.m. ET Nov. 3, 2008

BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU officials say restrictions limiting the amount of liquids allowed on flights in and out of European Union countries could be lifted as early as 2010 if new high-tech scanners are in place to distinguish liquid explosives from harmless substances like hand cream or toothpaste.

Jens Mester, spokesman at the European Commission says EU experts "are confident" that the new technology could be in place by that time, based on new technologies already being tested in the United States, Britain and France.

Mester, speaking on Monday, says EU countries have already agreed to abolish the restrictions under those conditions.

The strict rules were put in place in 2006. They limit passengers to carry liquids in containers no bigger than 100 milliliters (3.4 oz), packed in transparent bags onboard planes.

Security measures limiting liquids allowed in carry-on baggage came in response to a plot uncovered by Britain two years ago that liquid explosives were to be used to bring down U.S.-bound flights out of London's Heathrow airport.

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