Alleged Aussie extremists detained

SYDNEY, June 25 (UPI) -- Three Australians, allegedly members of an extremist Muslim group, were arrested in Lebanon.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the men were arrested as a result of the fighting between the Lebanese army and Islamic extremists.

Downer told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation "the allegation against these three is that they were involved with an Islamist extremist organization."

He said the Australian Embassy in Beirut "is trying to make consular contact with them" but Lebanese authorities had so far not allowed any access.