White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan has issued a statement saying 'Looting will not be tolerated. The President made that clear that it should be zero tolerance when it comes to looters.' President George W Bush has also sent an additional 10,000 National Guard troops to help deal with security and recovery issues.
About 24,000 National Guard members are to be in Louisiana and Mississippi by the end of the week. 1,400 are to go to New Orleans daily for the next three days, expanding the force of 3,000 that is currently trying to maintain order.
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In the picture: A McDonald's oulet in ruins in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Photograph: Barry Williams/Getty Images