[JURIST] US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales [official profile] told CNN's Sunday "Late Edition" [transcript] that the recent bombings in London and Egypt [IHT report] indicate the Patriot Act [text, PDF] is still a necessary law to prevent similar attacks from occurring in the US. Gonzales said the act now allows law enforcement officers and intelligence agents to exchange information, which has prevented other terrorist attacks from occurring since September 11. The Attorney General also defended the Patriot Act's controversial "library provision," which allows government officials to monitor books and computer use at libraries, businesses and hospitals by saying those places should not be allowed to become a "safe haven for terrorists." Last week, the US House of Representatives passed an extension [JURIST report] to the Patriot Act, while the Senate is expected to vote on its version of the law [JURIST report] this fall. AP has more.