UDPATE 1-New York plot suspect to be charged with terrorism

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WASHINGTON May 4 (Reuters) - The Pakistani-American believed to have planned a car bomb attack in New York's Times Square will be charged with an act of terrorism and the attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said on Tuesday.

The suspect, Faisal Shahzad, was being questioned and had provided useful information to authorities since his arrest as the investigation continued, Holder said. He declined to say whether others were involved in the plot.

"This was a terrorist plot aimed at murdering Americans in one of the busiest places in our country," he told a news conference.

"We believe that this suspected terrorist fashioned a bomb ... with the intent to kill as many innocent tourists and theater-goers as possible," he said.

Shahzad, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Pakistan, was arrested late on Monday at John F. Kennedy International Airport after being removed from an airplane as it was about to take off for Dubai. He was placed on the U.S. no-fly list hours before boarding the plane.

The attorney general also said he had no reason to believe at this time that the failed bombing attempt on Saturday was connected to the plot last year by an Afghan immigrant to conduct suicide bombings in the New York City subway system.

Shahzad, 30, was due to appear in federal court later on Tuesday. Holder said he would be charged with an act of terrorism transcending national borders, attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction as well as explosives charges, among other charges.

Shahzad is suspected of buying a 1993 Nissan sport utility vehicle used to carry the crude bomb, made of fuel and fireworks, into Times Square as the theater and shopping area was packed with people on a warm Saturday evening.

(Reporting by Jeremy Pelofsky and James Vicini, writing by Deborah Charles; editing by Cynthia Osterman)