Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the ministry is investigating the two Malaysians suspected of being linked to the al-Qaeda terrorist group.

They were also waiting for a background report on the duo from Wisma Putra, he added.

"It's too early to announce the details. However, they are not directly involved with any militant groups in this region or members of the Jemaah Islamiah or Darul Islam.

So far their group is outside this region," he told reporters after an Aidiladha sacrificial offering at Kampung Sri Tambak in Sembrong, Kluang, today.

He was commenting on the Lebanese authorities' arrest of two Malaysians, believed to be suicide bombers and suspected to be linked to the al-Qaeda.

Malaysian Ambassador to Lebanon, Ilango Karuppannan, had confirmed yesterday the 21 and 28-year-old suspects' detention at the Beirut International Airport a few days ago.

Hishammuddin, who is also Sembrong member of Parliament, said the government viewed very seriously the involvement of its citizens with militant networks such as al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

Furthermore, he remarked that such involvement with terrorist organisations based in the middle east was an unusual phenomenon because so far Malaysians had only been involved with regional groups.

"We'll investigate the suspected involvement of Malaysians with al-Qaeda and Taliban in depth as it's a matter of grave concern," he added.

Monitored closely

Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said the case is still being investigated by the Lebanese authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring it.

NONE "Malaysia does not condone terrorism or extremism by any group that may compromise the security of any country and its people, and fully respects the laws of Lebanon," he said in a statement today.

Anifah ( right ) said the two suspects had been brought to the Military Court in Beirut on Thursday where the charges were read to them and both were scheduled to appear in court again on Monday.

"The Malaysian Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon is taking action to meet the two Malaysian nationals and provide consular advice," he said.

He added that the families of the two suspects have also been informed of their arrest. 

- Bernama