Istanbul - Turkish police and security forces have arrested some 30 suspected members of al-Qaeda in raids across eight provinces, local media reported on Thursday.

The raids mainly took place in the east of the country, including the provinces of Van and Erzurum, as well as in Istanbul, the Hurriyet daily reported. The arrested are believed to have been accused of planning attacks.

Al Qaeda was blamed for bomb attacks in 2003 in Istanbul, in which 57 people died.

Hurriyet reported that the raid in the eastern city of Van recovered an unlicensed weapon, as well as computer equipment. The arrested were alleged to have handled logistics in support of al- Qaeda training camps abroad. (dpa)