Man accused of terror plot in Sydney threatened stabbing

One of two men charged with planning to launch an imminent terrorist attack in Australia appeared on a video threatening to stab the kidneys and necks of their victims, the nation's prime minister said Thursday, accusing the pair of "monstrous extremism."

Omar Al-Kutobi, 24, and Mohammad Kiad, 25, were charged this week with undertaking acts in preparation or planning for a terrorist act after police raided their Sydney home and seized the video, a homemade flag associated with the Islamic State group, a machete and a hunting knife.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who watched the video, told Parliament it depicted one of the men kneeling before the flag with a knife in his hand and a machete in front of him. Abbott quoted the man as saying: "I swear to almighty Allah, we will carry out the first operation for the soldiers of the caliphate in Australia. ... I swear to almighty Allah, blond people, there is no room for blame between you and us. We only owe you stabbing the kidneys and striking necks."

Police say they thwarted a terrorist attack in Sydney by mere hours on Tuesday when they swooped on Al-Kutobi and Kiad's home after receiving a tip that they were about to launch a violent attack. Neither man has applied for bail or entered a plea to the charges, which carry a possible sentence of life in prison.

Police are trying to determine whether the men were in contact with anyone from the Islamic State movement.