German Terror Threat Reportedly Wanes

A threat of possible terrorist attacks in Germany, based on a tip from Lebanese authorities after they interrogated an al-Qaida suspect, is less severe than initially thought, authorities said Monday.

The tip came after Lebanese police arrested suspect Mohammed Naddoum last Thursday on allegations that he called the German Embassy in Beirut threatening to strike German security targets.

Officials have given no details of the possible threats, but German news reports said Lebanon told officials that the suspect indicated terrorists inside Germany were prepared to attack targets such as Berlin's Justice Ministry building. The ministry said it had heightened security.

The details of the tip have now been checked out, and have led to no concrete results, said Federal Criminal Police Office spokeswoman Sandra Clemens.

"At this point in the investigation, an attack can be ruled out," she said.

She offered no further details, but a Lebanese security official told The Associated Press that further interrogation revealed the threat was likely less serious than initially thought.

"The telephone threat had no value and it was not serious. He is still under arrest over other matters that has nothing to do with the telephone threat," the official said on condition of anonymity because of lack of authorization to speak to the media.

The official added that Naddoum remains in custody under suspicion of involvement in local criminal activity.

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Associated Press writer Bassem Mroue contributed to this report from Beirut, Lebanon.