Authorities in Jordan thwart suspected terror attacks

Authorities in Jordan have arrested 11 suspected al-Qa'ida-linked militants for allegedly planning to attack shopping centres and Western diplomatic missions in the country.

Government spokesman Sameeh Maaytah said the suspects are all Jordanian and are in police custody.

He said the men had brought in arms from neighbouring Syria to use them in the alleged plot.

He also said al Qaida operatives based in Iraq have been assisting the suspects with manufacturing home-made explosives.

He said that Jordanian intelligence agents arrested the suspects in the past few days.

AP