DAMASCUS, May 5 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian interior authority said Tuesday it foiled a major "terrorist plot" targeting senior government figures, and dismantled a cell allegedly linked to Lebanon's Hezbollah.

In a statement, it said simultaneous raids in the provinces of Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Tartous and Latakia resulted in the arrest of members of what it called an organized cell.

Preliminary investigations indicated the group entered Syria about two months ago after receiving "intensive specialized training" in southern Lebanon, including the use of drones and explosives, it said.

The group was preparing to carry out a series of attacks, including assassinations of high-ranking officials, which were disrupted "moments before execution," it said.

It did not elaborate on the number of the arrestees nor the identities of the targeted officials.

There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah on the allegations. ■