Nearly 400 police officers were involved in an alleged counter-terror operation to foil “possible attacks” at various popular locations in Melbourne on Christmas Day.
Seven people were arrested, five of whom are still in custody and are expected to appear in court later today.
The operation was carried out jointly by Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and other agencies.
Victoria Police Commissioner Graham Ashton said four of the arrested men were Australian-born of Lebanese origin.
He said the men were planning to use “explosives” at Federation Square, Flinders Street station and St. Paul’s Cathedral on Christmas Day. He said the men were inspired by the so-called Islamic State.
“If this had got under our guard this would have been a significant attack,” Said Commissioner Ashton.
He said the threat has been “neutralised” in the overnight raids.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said this was "one of the most substantial terrorist plots that has been disrupted over the past several years."
The Prime Minister said the men were planning to explode improvised explosive devices in the central Melbourne area.
.@TurnbullMalcolm thanks security forces for keeping Australians safe from terror attacks https://t.co/vs1YO4FHpRhttps://t.co/f5R2LCJ9TR — ABC News (@abcnews) December 22, 2016
Premier Daniel Andrews said there would be extra police on the streets from Christmas Day until the new year's day.
