From Domainfax:
Police have arrested seven people in relation to a terrorist plot on Christmas Day, following raids across Melbourne.
Police chief graham Ashton said police have foiled a potential multi-modal attack in Federation Square and St. Paul’s Cathedral on Christmas Day.
Five people are still in custody and chief commissioner Graham Ashton believes the terror threat has been neutralised.
And:
The terror raids were carried out in Flemington, Meadow Heights, Dallas and Campbellfield.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the threat had been contained.
“Victorians should go about their business,” Mr Andrews said. “There will be an increased police presence.”
He said what was planned were not acts of faith, but of evil.
And:
Four of the five were Australian-born men in their 20s of a Lebanese background who “self-radicalised”.
One was an Egyptian-born Australian citizen.
The raid found evidence an improvised explosive device was being constructed.
“The attack had the potential to cause significant community harm,” he said.
“The community should be concerned but should be reassured that we have got on top of this particular issue.”
“We do not cower before terrorism – we enjoy Christmas and we enjoy New Year”
