Australian police arrest five teenagers in counter-terror raids

Australian police arrested five teenagers in a counter terrorism operation on Saturday, which they said had foiled a plot to kill police officers at a first world war commemorative event.

Tony Abbott, Australia's prime minister, said the attack was planned to take place on Anzac Day next weekend and was inspired by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis). About 200 police officers took part in raids in Melbourne. An 18 year old man has been charged with conspiracy to commit a terrorist act. Three other men have been released, police said.

"We believe that the potential attack was inspired by the Daesh [Isis] death cult in the Middle East," said Mr Abbott.

"This was the only attack that we were aware of at an advanced stage of planning and it was precisely because this was a potential attack at an advanced stage of planning that the police and security agencies moved as swiftly as they have."

The arrests are the latest in a series of counter terrorism operations in Australia over the past year linked to radical Islamic groups. In December two hostages and a lone gunman, Man Haron Monis - a self declared radical Islamic sheikh- were killed during a siege at a Sydney cafe.

Mr Abbott said there were 400 high priority intelligence operations "into people who would do us harm" and 100 Australian were currently fighting with terrorist groups in the Middle East.

Australian forces are part of the US-led coalition fighting Isis in Iraq.

Police said the 18 year old man charged in the latest counter terrorism raid had links to Numan Haider, a man who was shot and killed by police in September when he stabbed two police officers.

"The issues are that these people have been on our radar, particularly late last month, then the investigation ramped up when it became very obvious to us that their plans were specific," said Michael Phelan, acting commissioner of the Australian Federal Police.

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Mr Abbott urged Australians to turn up at Anzac Day events in the largest possible numbers.

"The best sign of defiance that we can give to those who would do us harm is to go about a normal, peaceful, free and fair Australian life," he said

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