Terror arrests in Switzerland.

Switzerland arrests two Syrians on suspicion of terror links

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Image captionWith Geneva on high alert, the city's airport was evacuated after a suspect package was found

Two people of Syrian origin have been arrested in Geneva on suspicion of making, concealing and transporting explosives and toxic gas, the Swiss attorney general says.

The two are also suspected of violating a law prohibiting groups such as al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State (IS), the statement added.

Geneva's prosecutor is expected to give more details on the arrests later.

Geneva has been on high alert this week amid fears an IS cell was in the area.

Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga said on Friday that a "foreign authority" had provided the information about "a potential IS cell in the Geneva area" but there was no indication that "a concrete attack" was planned.

Swiss media reported later on Friday that two Syrian men had been arrested and traces of explosives were found in their car.

Image copyrightAP

Image captionChecks have been increased on the French-Swiss border near Geneva

Image copyrightAP

Image captionSecurity was tightened outside France's consulate in Geneva

The tip-off about a terror cell in Geneva had originally come from the United States, Swiss media also reported on Friday.

Daily newspaper Le Temps, quoting a source close to the investigation, said US intelligence had identified three jihadist cells in Chicago, Toronto and Geneva.

Pictures of four individuals had been circulated to police, the source said, adding: "We do not know their names, we do not know where they came from. They apparently are using noms de guerre."

It is not clear if the two arrested on Friday are among the four being sought.

On Thursday, security was stepped up outside synagogues, the UN building and the French ambassador's home, as well as train stations, the airport and similar places.

The number of police on Geneva's streets has been increased.

UN spokesman Michele Zaccheo said there was "no specific threat to the UN in Geneva or its personnel".

The border with France runs through the outskirts of Geneva.

IS said it carried out the attacks in Paris on 13 November which killed 130 people.

Two men linked to the attacks - Salah Abdeslam and Mohammed Abrini - are still on the run and investigations have been launched in several European countries.