Australia charges man 'inspired by IS'

Australian authorities have charged a 22-year-old man with committing a terrorist act and attempted murder after a stabbing attack, police said Sunday in a statement.

The suspect stabbed a 59-year-old man while walking through a park on Saturday in Sydney's northeastern suburb of Minto.

Catherine Burn, the New South Wales state police deputy commissioner, told reporters that the suspect held "strong extremist beliefs inspired by ISIS," referring to the "Islamic State" militant group by an alternative acronym.

"There is an individual who, known to police for some matters, decides or for whatever reason, becomes inspired to act; they are able to get some basic capability and act," Burn said.

"This is the new face of terrorism. This is the new face of what we deal with," she added.

The "Islamic State" has called on its supporters to carry out attacks on high-profile sites in Australia and other countries.

Australia has been on high alert since December 2014, when a gunman took hostages during a cafe siege in Sydney. The incident left two hostages and the assailant dead.

Authorities say 10 terror attacks on Australian soil have been prevented in the past two years.

ls/cmk (Reuters, AFP, dpa)