'Al Qaeda' man seized in raids

A suspected senior al Qaeda terrorist was among 11 Algerians arrested in a nationwide police operation, it emerged today.

The 32-year-old man was arrested in Manchester and later flown with the other men to London to be questioned.

Scotland Yard anti-terrorist officers raided homes in London and Manchester before dawn yesterday after a surveillance operation involving M15.

Two business premises in east and south-east London were also raided.

Detectives carried out detailed searches of the premises and homes and a large number of documents including some relating to the al Qaeda terrorist they called a "major player" were taken away for examination.

Police are now also checking whether the men have claimed asylum in the UK or are here illegally.

Scotland Yard said the operation was part of their "extensive and ongoing" inquiries into terrorism.

Last week Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens revealed how police and the security services have foiled a series of terror attacks in Britain over the past 18 months.