PARIS — Armed police have made an arrest after reports that a man was seen entering the Iranian consulate not far from the Eiffel Tower in Paris,

Elite officers from France's BRI intervention brigade surrounded the building after a witness saw a man apparently carrying a grenade or explosive vest.

French reports said the suspect eventually left the building.

A man was detained by police shortly after 14:45 (12:45 GMT).

Pictures from the scene showed police arresting him close to the consulate. He was then searched by BRI officers and found to have no explosives on him.

French media said a man had entered the consulate at around 11:00, declaring that he wanted to avenge the death of his brother.

Neighboring streets in the city's 16th district in the center were cordoned off.

While the nature of the threat was not clear, the Paris prefect ordered BRI police to rush to the scene.

The area around the consulate, which is close to Trocadero and the River Seine, is popular with tourists and the Paris metro was suspended in the nearby area, transport officials said. — BBC