Guns seized as Belgium arrests two

Belgian authorities are investigating possible links between one of four men detained during an anti-terrorism sweep in Brussels and the chief suspect in the attacks on the US, Osama bin Laden.

"It is a serious lead and we are investigating it seriously but it is too early to come to conclusions," Justice Minister Marc Verwilghen said Friday. Several weapons including machine pistols were reportedly seized.

Four suspects were detained over the past two days and two were remanded into custody after weapons were found during a house search, said spokeswoman Beatrice Behets of the Brussels prosecutors' office.

"They are part of a radical Islamic movement and one of them may possibly have been planning an attack on a US target in Europe," she said.

Media reports said weapons and forged Dutch identity papers were found at the home of the one who may have been planning an attack. RTBF television said police placed him under surveillance last month after receiving a tip.

Neighbors of the man, described as Belgian citizen of Tunisian origin in his 30s, told RTBF he had only recently moved into the apartment in the posh Brussels suburb of Uccle. The suspect was reportedly a regular traveler to France and the Netherlands.

Dutch police arrested four people Friday, saying they were possibly members of an international network of radical Muslims.

Meanwhile, US and Philippine authorities conducted a raid today at a hotel in Manila, President Gloria Arroyo said, but she would not elaborate on any arrests.