OTTAWA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- In a sweeping overnight raid, Canadian police arrested 17 suspects on terrorism-related charges in the country's eastern Ontario Province, the authorities said Saturday.

    The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) launched the raid in the area of Toronto, the country's largest city and Ontario provincial capital, RCMP assistant commissioner Mike McDonnell said.

    The arrested consisted of 12 men and five youth.

    The suspects were part of a terrorist cell, close to carrying out attacks on one or more Canadian targets, local reports quoted intelligence sources as saying earlier.

    Police seized chemicals used to make explosives and weapons.

    Sources claimed the men have no connection to al-Qaeda, but were allegedly inspired by Islamic militant groups. Enditem