Bomber was of Libyan descent but born in UK

Salman Abedi, the 22-year-old named as the suicide bomber behind the terrorist attack on Manchester Arena, was born in the city and is believed to be of Libyan descent.

Abedi was registered as living at Elsmore Road in the city as recently as last year. Police yesterday raided a downstairs red-brick semi-detached property there yesterday as they hunted those thought to be behind the blast.

Neighbours recalled a tall, skinny young man who was little known in the neighbourhood, and often seen wearing traditional Islamic clothing. It was unclear whether he lived alone at the address.

Neighbours said the young man had many visitors, one man dropping by regularly to pick him up in a Toyota Yaris.

Abedi is thought to have been of Libyan origin but born in Manchester.

He “probably” attended the Manchester Islamic Centre – also known as the Didsbury Mosque – officials at the mosque said.

Fawaz haffar, a business man and trustee of the mosque, said he did not know Abedi or recall seeing him at the mosque. But he said Abedi “probably” did attend, given that his father used to perform the azan – the call for prayer – and his brother attended as a volunteer at the mosque until recently.

Mr Haffar stressed the mosque was moderate, modern and liberal, and said he was a member of an Independent Advisory Group – an organisation that liaises with Greater Manchester Police to improve community safety and cohesion, and policing in the community.

Mr Haffar said Abedi had two brothers, and that he did recall his father attending the mosque.

He said: “I see him praying but I don’t know really who he is. I see him sometimes raising the azan, or call to prayer, but that was a long time ago. As far as I know, he went back to Libya when things were much better over there, to work over there.

“That’s all I know about him. He was devout as far as I know. He had three sons, one of them is detained, one of them is a suspect and the third one I have no idea who he is.”

Mr Haffar also said Salman Abedi’s brother, Ismail, attended the mosque as a volunteer.

He added: “One of the gentleman who is detained, he came here and did some voluntary work. I personally do not know him. That is the brother, Ismail.”