AAP/Julian Smith/Reuters
Five men were arrested in Australia on Friday on suspicion of plotting a series of bombings in Melbourne on Christmas, police said. The suspects were identified only as men between the ages of 21 and 26, with four of them born in Australia and the fifth in Egypt. Victoria state Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said the men were inspired by the Islamic State and were planning attacks on the city’s Flinders Street train station, neighboring Federation Square and St. Paul’s Cathedral, CBS News reported. The men were believed to be planning a series of attacks using explosives, knives and a gun, Ashton said. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull described the alleged Christmas plot as “one of the most substantial terrorist plots that have been disrupted over the last several years.” Melbourne will deploy additional police patrols on Christmas Day despite the plot being foiled.