France Holds 12 As Europe Faces Terror Alert

Police reportedly have arrested at least 12 people in counterterrorism raids in the south of France.

Officials say nine suspected Islamic militants were detained around the port city of Marseille on suspected involvement in arms and explosives trafficking.

In another roundup, two men were arrested in Marseille and another in Bordeaux on suspected ties to a Frenchman arrested in Italy last month, accused of links to an Afghan recruiting ring.

The arrests were made as security sources in some Western countries warned of a plot to attack public targets in Europe.

compiled from agency reports