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Five held over Pope visit 'terrorist' threat

Benedict XVI presides over a Celebration of Catholic Education at St Mary's University College, in south-west London.

Benedict XVI presides over a Celebration of Catholic Education at St Mary's University College, in south-west London.

British police have arrested five men on suspicion of preparing a "terrorist" attack linked to the ongoing state visit of Pope Benedict XVI, Scotland Yard said today.

Police said the men were arrested early this morning "on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism" but the itinerary and policing arrangements for the Pope's visit remain unchanged.

The Pope was informed.

The five, said to be Algerian and aged between 26 and 50, were arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act at what police said was a business premises in central London at around 5:45am.

Searches at that property and houses in north and east London have not so far recovered any "hazardous items," Scotland Yard said.

"Following today's arrests the policing arrangements for the papal visit were reviewed and we are satisfied that our current policing plan remains appropriate," Scotland Yard said in a statement.

"The itinerary has not changed. There is no change to the UK threat level."

The Pope is spending today in London conducting a series of engagements on the second day of his state visit, including meeting Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and holding joint prayers with him at Westminster Abbey.

That service will be attended by figures reportedly set to include Britain's former prime ministers Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

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Janet Bayes

Sep 17th 2010, 15:45

So Stephen - - you think hatred is exclusive to the muslim community? There is hatred in all communities my dear man. The world over - - and Malta is no more exempt from it than elsewhere.

Adrian Mercieca

Sep 17th 2010, 16:35

Israel's treatment of the Palestinians - all with the blessing of the USA and with the rest of the western world turning a blind eye.

That's why the hatred!

Stephen Koludrovic

Sep 17th 2010, 18:13

@ True there might be some sort of hatred all around ther world, however its not so intense as with this lot. The destroying of the Budda statues in Afganisthan, the Bombings in Bali,the Twin towers in NYC, The underground bombing in London, The Madrid train Bombs,The attempted assasination of Pope Paul John, The shoe bomber, and not to forget the bombs in Moscow and other parts of Russia..The list goes on and on. Now they are even turning on themselves like in Iraq and Pakistan Of course, this is my view of how I see the situation,others might have a different opinion.

Manuel Mangani

Sep 17th 2010, 21:32

What did the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II have to do with the Muslim world,other than that Ali Agca happened to have been born Muslim?

Mark Vella

Sep 17th 2010, 14:42

With the same reasoning, did the thousands of people that were killed in the Twin Towers attacks insult anyone?

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