BERLIN, Jan 14: A threat of possible terrorist attacks in Germany, based on a tip from Lebanese authorities after they interrogated an Al Qaeda suspect, is less severe than initially thought, the Interior Ministry said on Monday.

The tip came after Lebanese police arrested suspect Mohammed Naddoum last Thursday on allegations that he called the German Embassy in Beirut threatening to strike German security targets.

Officials have given no details of the possible threats, but German news reports said Lebanon told officials that the suspect indicated terrorists inside Germany were prepared to attack targets such as Berlin’s Justice Ministry building. The ministry said it had heightened security.

But Stefan Kaller, spokesman for Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, told a regular government news conference that he had received word late on Monday morning that the threat was less severe than initially thought.

“Following the latest details from the security agencies, we believe there is a diminished threat level,” he said.

Kaller said he had no further details, but a Lebanese security official said that further interrogation revealed the threat was likely less serious than initially thought.

“The telephone threat had no value and it was not serious. He is still under arrest over other matters that has nothing to do with the telephone threat,” the official said on condition of anonymity because of lack of authorisation to speak to the media.

The official added that Naddoum remains in custody under suspicion of involvement in local criminal activity.—AP