Britain hails arrest of Al-Qaeda suspect in Turkey as 'significant success'

Would be speedboat terrorist's arrest praised. Britain hails arrest of Al-Qaeda suspect in Turkey as 'significant success'

Britain welcomed Tuesday the arrest in Turkey of a suspected Syrian extremist linked to Al-Qaeda as a "significant success" in the fight against terrorism.

The arrest "underlines the professionalism and commitment shown by Turkish police and represents a significant success in the global struggle against Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organisations," a statement by the British embassy in Ankara said.

The man, named in court documents as Louai Sakra, has admitted to plotting attacks on Israeli cruise ships off Turkey's southern coast.

He is also suspected of involvement in the massive November 2003 suicide bombings at two synagogues, the British consulate and the British HSBC bank in Istanbul which killed some 60 people including the British consul-general.