Bomb found outside Texas abortion clinic

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Authorities on Thursday confirmed they had found an unexploded bomb outside an abortion clinic in the state's capital.

The device, about the size of a piece of carry-on luggage, was discovered on Wednesday afternoon in the parking lot of the Austin Women's Health Center, said David Carter, assistant chief of the Austin Police Department.

A robot was used to disarm the bomb after the unmarked clinic and an apartment complex were evacuated and traffic halted on a nearby interstate, Carter said at a press conference.

A task force that includes local police, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was investigating the incident, said Ralph Diaz, an FBI agent from San Antonio, Texas.

No recent threats had been made against the clinic or any Austin clinics, Carter said, adding that it was not known if the health center was targeted because it offers abortions.

The clinic was back in operation on Thursday.

"We are committed to the health and well-being of our patients," clinic officials said in a statement. "Our office will continue to provide the same outstanding health care we have been providing for the last 30 years."