Roundup: Cypriot police say investigations into alleged Hezbollah plot almost completed

Investigations into an alleged Hezbollah plot to attack Israeli targets in Cyprus, possibly including Israel's embassy in Nicosia, have been almost completed, Cypriot police said on Saturday.

"The case will be submitted to the Attorney General next week for consideration and instructions to the police as to their next moves," a police spokesman said.

This means that investigators believe that they have built up a sound case against a 26-year-old Lebanese who has been arrested in connection with the alleged plot.

The Attorney General may instruct the police to either prefer charges against the man or obtain complementary evidence.

The man was earlier on Saturday remanded in custody for further six days during a closed door court hearing requested by security authorities to protect national interests.

The man, traveling on a Canadian passport, was arrested on May 27, after police found in the house he was staying 5 tons of ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer that can be turned into a powerful explosive when mixed with other substances.

The police spokesman said that charges of conspiring to commit a crime, being in possession of explosives, being a member of a criminal organization and providing assistance to a criminal organization are being investigated.

The man denies being a Hezbollah member and claims that he came to Cyprus with his father to buy the house where the explosives were found.

Cypriot police have issued international and European warrants for the arrest of the owner of the house, a 60-year-old Lebanese with a French passport.

He purchased the house in the sea-side city of Larnaca several years ago but never staying in it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had claimed that the house was purchased with money provided by Iran.

Authorities have released a 62-year-old naturalized Cypriot of Lebanese descent after his five-day remand order lapsed.

Sources said the Police are satisfied that the man, who is the owner of a transport company, is not involved in the conspiracy to carry out bomb attacks.

He is said to have admitted that he brought the ammonium nitrate in Cyprus packed in first aid ice packs but investigators accepted his claim that he acted in good faith.

Police said they are using his evidence to build up their case against the other suspects in the case.

Cyprus is a popular destination for Israeli tourists. Police believe that targets in the alleged plot included buses carrying Israeli tourists.

Israel and Cyprus maintain close relations and are in consultations for jointly exploiting joint natural gas reserves on the borderline of their respective marine economic zones. The two countries are also involved in a tripartite cooperation agreement with Greece. Endit