German police arrest pair in Berlin over 'bomb plot'

[Gerald]

Police in Berlin have arrested two men suspected of planning a bomb attack.

One of the men is described as a 24-year-old German citizen of Lebanese descent, while the other is from Gaza, aged 28.

They had procured chemical substances which could be used to make explosives, a police spokesman said.

Police are searching the premises of an Islamic cultural centre in the Wedding district, as well as the two men's residences.

The two suspects occasionally stayed overnight in the cultural centre and were frequent visitors to the mosque associated with it, police said.

However, they specifically said the mosque itself was not being searched.

The arrests come just a few days ahead of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and two weeks before Pope Benedict XVI is due to visit Berlin.

Police have not commented on whether they believe the men were targeting a specific event.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14834280

Note: 8 September 2011 Last updated at 10:05 GMT