http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22 ... 02,00.html

From correspondents in the Philippines

December 19, 2007 09:26pm
Article from: Agence France-Presse

POLICE in the southern Philippine city of Cotabato have arrested an
Egyptian man allegedly plotting a bomb attack on Christmas day.

The suspect, identified as Egyptian national Mohamad Sayed, was
arrested during a raid on an apartment inside the Majad Islamic School
in Cotabato.

Recovered from his room was an explosive device fashioned from a 60mm
mortar shell and ball bearings attached to a timing device, which was
later safely detonated.

Sayed, who also goes by the alias Abu Husein, was undergoing
interrogation at police headquarters in Cotabato, said local police
chief Superintendent Willie Dangane.

Mr Dangane said the Egyptian was captured after surveillance by the
police and military.

He said intelligence reports indicated Mr Sayed planned to detonate
the bomb at an undisclosed location in the city on Christmas Day.