Geneva lowers terror threat level

GENEVA

The Swiss city of Geneva has lowered the security level in place since Dec. 10 as part of investigations in the wake of the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris.

The canton of Geneva adjusted its level of vigilance and returned to the level of alertness in effect before Dec. 10, the Swiss Department of Safety and Economy said in a statement on Monday.

"A new assessment of the situation regarding the terrorist threat, after the Christmas holidays, justifies this decision. In addition, all the recent diplomatic, religious and commercial events considered as potential targets, are now over," the statement said.

Geneva went on high alert 18 days ago when Swiss police raised the threat level in the city after receiving reports that suspects linked to the Nov. 13 Paris attacks might be in the area.

The Geneva police arrested two Syrian nationals on Dec. 11 after explosives were found in their car. There was no official confirmation from the Geneva public prosecutor about whether this arrest was linked to the heightened terrorist threat level.

The police were actively looking for people whose description was provided by the Swiss authorities and additional police had deployed in the Geneva area.

The multiple gun-and-bomb attacks in Paris on Nov. 13 killed 130 people in total and left dozens of others injured.