London's Heathrow airport suspends flights due to 'security issue'

London's Heathrow airport briefly suspended flights from one of its terminals due to a security issue earlier on Friday, a spokeswoman said.

"Departures were suspended for a short time from Terminal 3 due to a security issue. We are very sorry to any passengers whose journeys are affected," the airport spokeswoman said without elaborating.

@sarahkcoleman Departures were suspended for a short time from Terminal 3 due to a security issue. We are sorry to any passengers whose journeys (1/2)

— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) May 5, 2017

@sarahkcoleman are affected. The safety and security of our passengers and colleagues is paramount. (2/2)

— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) May 5, 2017

Heathrow is one of the world's busiest airports and the affected terminal mainly services long-haul flights, although it also offers some European destinations.

#Heathrow Terminal #security is completely at standstill. Long lines and nothing moving! pic.twitter.com/LiWJ3lBA7k

— Vid (@windowglazer) May 5, 2017

On Thursday, sleuths of the British Counter Terrorism arrested a 30-year-old man as he stepped off a flight from Istanbul, Turkey. The man is being held at a police station.

Police said he was suspected of preparing for terrorist acts and terrorist training.

Officers searched for an address in east London in connection with the arrested suspect, British media reported.

(With Agencies Inputs)