Militant Islamist groups are planning to attack Berlin's Reichstag building, the seat of Germany's parliament, media reported Saturday.
Al-Qaeda and associated Islamist groups were planning to take hostages and fire at people in the building, which is also a popular tourist destination, Spiegel news magazine reported in an article to be published on Monday.
The information reportedly came from a jihadist who contacted the German authorities, prompting Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere to warn earlier in the week that Islamists planned attacks in Germany.
Spiegel reported that the informant repeatedly telephoned the German police from a foreign location in recent days. He said the terrorist cell consisted of six people, of whom two had arrived in Berlin several weeks ago.
Four other militants - including a German, a Turk and a northern African - were still waiting to travel to Germany, Spiegel said.
The attacks were reportedly planned for February or March 2011.
Security was increased at airports and train stations across Germany on Wednesday, when de Maiziere said there were “concrete” indications that militants were planning attacks in Germany. -
Sapa-dpa