Police break up terrorist cell, arrest suspects
by Patrick Gillett - Australian Federal police have arrested a group in Melbourne suspected of plotting a terrorist attack. The arrests came after raids at 19 addresses at around 2:00am.
Police say that the group was trying to blow up an army barracks. Police beleive that the group members are of Lebonese and Somali decent. All are Australian citizens.
The suspects were planning to commit a "sustained attack on military personnel," says AFP deputy commissioner Tony Negus.
"The men's intention was to actually go into the Army barracks and to kill as many soldiers as they could before they themselves were killed," Mr Negus told a press conference. "This operation has disrupted an alleged terrorist attack that could have claimed many lives."
There are suggestions that the group has connections to groups in Somalia.
Melbourne CBD
Australian Federal Police have caught four people suspected of plotting a terrorist attack in Melbourne. The suspects, all Australian citizens of Somali and Lebanese descent, were arrested early this morning Melbourne time.

"Police believe members of a Melbourne-based group have been undertaking planning to carry out a terrorist attack in Australia and allegedly involved in hostilities in Somalia," a police statement says.

"The men's intention was to actually go into the Army barracks and to kill as many soldiers as they could before they themselves were killed," acting Australian Federal Police deputy commissioner  Tony Negus told a press conference. "This operation has disrupted an alleged terrorist attack that could have claimed many lives."

The raids were carried out by officers from Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police, New South Wales Police and the New South Wales Crime Commission.