Australian Security forces foil terror plot

Four people have been arrested during raids conducted in the country.

In a statement, the Australian Federal Police confirmed that four men arrested by the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) on Saturday are currently in custody pending ongoing enquiries.

"This recognises that terrorism investigations are inherently complex and that there can be legitimate reasons for extended periods of detention for suspects in such matters," read the statement.

"The AFP must satisfy the judicial officer before whom the application is made that this specified time is reasonable and necessary. The legislation dictates that this additional specified time of detention must not exceed seven days," it said.

Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull said operations were designed to disrupt and prevent plans to undertake terrorist attacks in Australia.

"I have been kept closely briefed on the progress of the operations by the heads of our relevant security agencies," he said.

The PM said: "However, as the operations are ongoing, it is inappropriate to provide further detail at this stage."

The PM said the priority of the government is safety and security of all Australians.

He said: "The public should be reassured that our security and intelligence agencies are working tirelessly to keep us safe."

Speaking on the arrests, ABC News website reported: "Four men were arrested after the raids at five properties in the inner-city suburb of Surry Hills, and the south-western suburbs of Lakemba, Wiley Park and Punchbowl."

The ABC reported that it has been told police found items that could be used to make a homemade bomb when they raided the house at Surry Hills.

Australian National Security said the national terrorism threat level has been kept as 'probable'.

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