Target ... A Via Rail Canada passenger train pulls into Dorval Station in Montreal in this 2009 file photo.

Target ... A Via Rail Canada passenger train pulls into Dorval Station in Montreal in this 2009 file photo. Photo: Reuters

Canadian police have arrested two people in connection with an al-Qaeda-supported terrorist plot to derail a VIA Rail passenger train.

Police arrested Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, of Montreal and Raed Jaser, 35, of Toronto, security officials said at a press conference in Toronto. The two aren't Canadian citizens.

''Charges include conspiring to carry out an attack against, and conspiring to murder persons unknown for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a terrorist group,'' the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement.

The pair are expected to appear in court later today for a bail hearing

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the suspects were receiving support from al-Qaeda elements located in Iran, but added there's no indication that the attacks were state-sponsored.

''Each and every terrorist arrest the RCMP makes sends a message and illustrates our strong resolve to root out terrorist threats and keep Canadians and our allies safe,'' RCMP Assistant Commissioner James Malizia said.

Their arrests were the result of joint operations by Canadian and US security forces, including the FBI.

A US law enforcement source said the alleged plot was not linked with last week's Boston Marathon bombings.

The arrests follow not only the Boston bombings but revelations that Canadians took part in an attack by militants on a gas plant in Algeria in January.

It also recalls the arrests in 2006 of a group of more than a dozen Toronto-area men accused of planning to plant bombs at various Canadian targets. Eleven men were eventually convicted of taking part on the plot.

More to come...

- Agencies