A 24-year-old man from Lebanon, travelling on a Swedish passport, was committed for trial on Friday on charges of planning terrorism acts against Israeli targets in Cyprus.

His trial was scheduled to start before a three-man criminal Assize Court in the southern city of Limassol on Sept. 12.

Police sources said a total of 17 charges were brought against him, involving nine criminal acts, but they gave no details.

Justice and Public Order Minister Loukas Louka has said that the planned acts were similar to the bomb attack on Israeli tourists in the Bulgarian city of Burgas on July 18, when a suicide bomber detonated a bag of explosives in a bus, killing six and wounding another 30.

The man was arrested on July 5 after arriving in Cyprus on a third trip on the pretention of planning to start a business on the island.

Police sources claimed he was actually monitoring the movements of Israeli tourists in Limassol ahead of a planned attack.

The court accepted a plea by the prosecution for the accused to be held in police custody until the start of his trial.

His lawyer said the accused did not object to his detention because he was concerned about his life following the wide publicity given to the case.

Meanwhile, a police spokesman said authorities have strengthened security for Israeli interests in Cyprus following information about a possible imminent terrorist act.

However, he did not confirm or deny a press report about a possible strike in Cyprus during the weekend.

The spokesman said a meeting was held at police headquarters where issues of security were examined.

"Information that was received was examined and measures were decided upon to be taken where necessary," he added.

The spokesman said the situation is being monitored closely.