Lebanese man held for terror plot on Israeli tourists in Cyprus

Fertilizers containing chemical that can be used as an explosive found at 26-year-old’s home; links to Hezbollah investigated

Illustrative photo of a street in Larnaca, Cyrpus, May 2, 2014  (photo credit: AFP/ YIANNIS KOURTOGLOU)
Illustrative photo of a street in Larnaca, Cyrpus, May 2, 2014 (photo credit: AFP/ YIANNIS KOURTOGLOU)

A 26-year-old Lebanese man was arrested on Wednesday by security authorities in Cyprus on suspicion of planning to carry out a terrorist attack against Israeli tourists vacationing on the island, Reuters reported Friday.

The man, who is also a Canadian national, was found to be in possession of two tons of fertilizers containing ammonium nitrate — a chemical that can be used as an explosive. He was apprehended at his home in Larnaca, in southeast Cyprus.

Local media in Cyprus reported that police were investigating whether the suspect was linked to the Shiite terrorist group Hezbollah, according to the Walla news site.

Earlier this year, Jerusalem issued a stern warning to Hezbollah that any attack on Israeli targets worldwide would be met with a strong response by the Jewish state.

Israel said it would hold Hezbollah responsible for any assault against its citizens or institutions, whether at home or abroad.

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