Syria says two British detainees linked to al Qaeda

LONDON (Reuters) - Syria said on Sunday that two British nationals arrested in Damascus were suspected of being part of a terrorist organisation related to al Qaeda.

The Syrian embassy in London said Maryam Kallis and Yasser Zahur Ahmed were detained on March 17.

"Interrogations indicated that both Ms Kallis and Mr Ahmed are working for a terrorist network related to al Qaeda organisation and the members of the network were also arrested by the Syrian authorities," it said in a statement.

"Ms Kallis is involved in receiving funds from her husband Mr Massoud Ahmad (who resides in the UK) and in conveying the funds to the above-mentioned network. The investigation with the members of the network is still going on."

It added that a representative of the British embassy in Damascus had been allowed to visit the detainees.