Italy expels 4 Moroccan suspected jihadists

Rome - Italy has expelled four Moroccans who were found with a video inciting people to "fight the enemies of Islam", judicial sources said on Tuesday, in the first such move following the Paris terror attacks.

This year, Italy has already expelled at least 60 Islamist radicals, including four imams, but these are the first expulsions since the November 13 strikes in the French capital.

Interior Minister Angelino Alfano signed the expulsion warrants for the four men, who were known to intelligence services. The video was found at their home.

Italy has ratcheted up its security alert to the highest level possible in the absence of a direct attack on the country after the Paris carnage.

European countries have also tightened security and Brussels is in lockdown as police hunt a suspect amid fears of an imminent terror strike.

Since Monday, about 2 000 police have been deployed across Rome ahead of the Vatican's Holy Jubilee Year of Mercy which kicks off on December 8 and is expected to attract millions of visitors.