Jordanian officials say state security forces have arrested 11 people in connection with what they call an al-Qaida-linked plot to bomb shopping centers and attack Western diplomatic posts in the capital, Amman.

Government spokesman Sameeh Maaytah told reporters Sunday that the group had been working since June, and planned to carry out the attacks with weapons smuggled from Syria, where they had spent time.

He also said they had consulted with al-Qaida in Iraq explosives experts.

Jordan has been the target of al-Qaida attacks, including triple hotel bombings in November 2005 that killed more than 50 people.