GREECE: Greek police discovered and exploded a bomb outside a Citibank branch in an Athens suburb yesterday after an anonymous tip came to a newspaper.
"There was a controlled explosion of a bag placed near the Citibank after we were told it would go off in 35 minutes," a police official said.
Police found two sticks of dynamite, a clock and a detonator in the remains of the bag. A police source said the bomb was not sophisticated, but was powerful enough to cause "death and damage". There was no claim of responsibility, the official said.Security has been an issue throughout Greece ahead of this summer's Olympic Games, and amid widespread concern in Europe after the blasts in Madrid.
Greece announced on Friday that it had asked NATO for help in protecting this August's Athens Olympic Games. A secret Olympics security operation involving several hundred US troops started last Wednesday.
As part of its $790 million security plan, Greece has set up a seven-nation advisory group, comprising Britain, the US, Israel, Australia, Spain, France and Germany. - (Reuters)