Australian diplomats throughout the world were on high alert yesterday after it was revealed Al Qaeda terrorists planned to blow up the Australian High Commission in Singapore.
Singapore authorities announced they had arrested 15 suspected Al Qaeda-linked militants in December following information they had various targets, which included other Western missionsand American sailors in the city state.
The Singapore Government also made public a videotape which was found in the home of an Al Qaeda leader in Afghanistan.
On the tape, a man now in custody described how explosives could be carried on a bicycle without arousing suspicion. Other evidence included handwritten notes in Arabic.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Australia's high commissioner in Singapore, Gary Quinlan, and other staff were aware of the threat.
A department spokesman said the Australian Government had been in contact with Singapore authorities regarding the arrests.
He said appropriate measures had been taken to protect the overseas mission. All Australian missions remained on alert.
"The Australian Government was aware of the specific threat against the Australian High Commission in Singapore," the spokesman said.
"We were in contact with the Singaporean authorities and appropriate measures have been undertaken."
Thirteen of the suspects were in custody and two have been freed, Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs said yesterday.
It said the 13 would be held for two years under the Internal Security Act, which allows detention without trial for anyone deemed a national security threat.
The ministry said the group may also have planned attacks on the British High Commission, the Israeli Embassy, US navy ships and a bus carrying US soldiers.
