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UPDATE...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5014760.stm

Last Updated: Thursday, 25 May 2006, 02:04 GMT 03:04 UK

"Anti-terror police quiz suspects"

ARTICLE SNIPPET #1: "More than 500 police took part in the operations in Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, Middlesbrough, London and Liverpool.

Three of those held were detained under anti-terrorism legislation and five under immigration laws.

Raids continuing

Two other people were arrested, but later released.

The eight detained men are reported to be Libyans.

The Home Office confirmed five of the people held were detained under the home secretary's powers to "deport individuals whose presence in the UK is not conducive to the public good for reasons of national security".

One of the men arrested in Manchester is Libyan-born Tahir Nasuf, a 44-year-old.

He moved to Manchester in 1993 and is married with four children.

The offices of a charity he works for - the Sanabel Relief Agency - were also raided in Birmingham.

The operation is being led by Greater Manchester Police's (GMP) anti-terrorist unit, and the searches using warrants issued under the Terrorism Act 2000, are likely to continue for at least the rest of the day.

The BBC's Nick Ravenscroft said it was beginning to emerge that the raids probably centred on activities in Iraq."

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "A spokeswoman for the Greater Manchester force confirmed an "extensive operation targeting individuals suspected of facilitating terrorism abroad" was under way.

She would not confirm the exact nature of the alleged offences."