2010-07-08 17:30

OSLO – Three suspected al-Qaida members were arrested Thursday morning in what Norwegian and US officials said was a terrorist plot linked to similar plans in New York and England.

The three men, whose names were not released, had been under surveillance for more than a year. Officials believe they were planning attacks with portable but powerful bombs like the ones at the heart of last year's thwarted suicide attack in the New York City subway.

US Attorney General Eric Holder has called that one of the most serious terrorist plots since 9/11. On Wednesday, prosecutors revealed the existence of a related plot in Manchester, England. Officials believe the Norway plan was organized by the same top-level al-Qaida officials in charge of planning worldwide attacks.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case. The Norwegian Police Security Service said only that the three were arrested on suspicion of "preparing terror activities."

A news conference was planned for later Thursday.

Officials said it was not clear the men had selected a target for the attacks but were attempting to make peroxide bombs, the powerful homemade explosives that prosecutors say were attempted in both New York and England.