Australian police say they have foiled a "multi-mode" terror attack planned for Melbourne on Christmas Day.
Five men are in custody after early-morning raids on Friday, Victoria Police chief Graham Ashton said.
Mr Ashton said the threat involved "use of explosives" and other weapons including "knives or a firearm".
The threat was to prominent city locations including Flinders St Station, Federation Square and St Paul's Cathedral, he said.
Mr Ashton said there was no longer a threat to the public.
"We don't have any threat over and above that threat that we've currently neutralized," he said at a press conference.
'Self-radicalised'
Four of the suspects were Australian-born men in their 20s of a Lebanese background, while the fifth was an Australian of Egyptian origin, Mr Ashton said.
He claimed they were "self-radicalised" but inspired by propaganda of the so-called Islamic State.
Another man and a woman were arrested in the raids, but later released without charge.
Mr Ashton said the raids on five locations in Melbourne's north and west came after weeks of police surveillance.
"We believe that there was an intention to conduct what we call a multi-mode attack, possibly on Christmas Day," he said.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said police had disrupted a substantial terror plot.
"They want to frighten Australians, they want to divide Australians, they want us to turn on each other," he said.
"But we will not let them."
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the alleged plans "were not acts of faith".
"They were in their planning, acts of evil," he said.
Increased security
Flinders St Station, Federation Square and St Paul's Cathedral occupy three corners of what is arguably Melbourne's most iconic intersection.
The area is only a short distance from the Melbourne Cricket Ground where up to 100,000 people are expected to attend the Boxing Day Test between Australia and Pakistan.
Mr Ashton said police would increase their presence at the MCG and other locations around Melbourne.
"I do stress that there's no information at this time suggesting a threat to any of those events," he said. "However, we are taking extra precautions."
The operation included 400 officers from Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation was also involved.
Mr Andrews assured the public that police would remain vigilant.
"Victorians should go about their business at this very special time of the year," he said.
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