Obama at centre of airport scare as gunman arrested

It remained unclear yesterday how much of a threat, if any, the incident was to President Obama.

Although the man arrested was far away from the aeroplane and still in a public area, his vehicle contained information about rifle scope sights.

Joseph McVey, 23, was charged with going armed in terror of the public, a misdemeanour under American law, said airport police Captain Kevan Smith.

Police saw McVey get out of a car about 2pm local time in the rental car return lot and he had a gun, Capt Smith said. He was taken into custody immediately and was being held at the county jail.

Security was heightened at the airport because President Barack Obama was leaving after spending a holiday in the state. He was headed to a memorial service for the 29 West Virginia coal miners killed in an explosion.

However, police have confirmed the suspect was nowhere near the president's aircraft, Air Force One, and was in a public area when concern was raised.

McVey's car was decked out like a police patrol car but the suspect was not in law enforcement, said Capt Smith.

The investigation into what McVey was doing with a gun and why his car was equipped with strobe lights was continuing.

The Secret Service, the agency charged with protecting the President, has so far declined to comment on the arrest, leaving airport police to make public statements instead.

McVey's background remained unclear last night as a jail officer said they did not have a home town listed for McVey and said it did not appear McVey had an attorney.

His bond was set at $100,000.

When McVey got out of the car, he was listening to a handheld scanner and radio that had a remote earpiece. Police said he was monitoring local agencies and had formulas for rifle scopes on a note in his cup holder.

Police did not immediately elaborate on what the formulas might mean.

McVey gave authorities an Ohio driver's licence, but a computer check failed to show the number was valid, police said.

When Officer Kaleb Rice asked him what he was doing, McVey told him he heard the president was in town and wanted to see him.

Mr Rice removed the firearm and took McVey into custody.

President meets Billy Graham

President Barack Obama made a visit to Billy Graham's mountainside home, concluding his North Carolina vacation with his first meeting with the ailing evangelist.

The 48-year-old president made the short drive to Montreat from Asheville, where he spent the weekend, to see the 91-year-old Mr Graham and son Franklin, also an evangelist.

During the visit, which lasted about 30 minutes, Mr Obama had a private prayer and conversation with Billy Graham and was given two Bibles.