Irish police hold four in terror investigation

Irish police have arrested four people on suspicion of being involved in international terrorism.

The men are believed to be three Libyans and one Algerian, and reports suggested that they have links to Osama bin Laden's al-Qai'da organisation.

The men were arrested by officers from the Middle Eastern section of Ireland's Special Detective Unit, who also seized documents and about IR£10,000 in cash during the raids..

One of the men is believed to have lived in Ireland for 20 years, another is rumoured to be related to a man arrested in America for an attempted terrorist attack over the millennium.

They are being questioned at two Dublin police stations under terms of Ireland's anti-terror laws, which allow suspects to be held for up to 72 hours before being charged or released.