Former Australian airport worker linked to al-Qaeda

Channel News Asia Australian authorities have seized the passport of a former Qantas baggage handler suspected to have links with the al-Qaeda network.

Television programme Four Corners said on Monday a Sydney resident had been linked in a CIA report to Osama bin Laden's group - blamed for the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington.Advertisement The programme, aired by the Australian Broadcasting Corp, said the CIA alleged the man trained in Afghanistan in 1998 and planned attacks on US interests in Venezuela and the Philippines.

He worked for Qantas Airways Ltd, Australia's main airline, until a security review shortly before the Sydney 2000 Olympics when he resigned for reasons of ill health, the CIA report added.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the man's passport had been revoked in January last year as he was deemed a security threat.

He added that no charges had been laid against him and the man was appealing to have his passport returned.

The man, who was widely named by Australian media, could not be reached for comment.