Australian accused of Isis links

Moudasser Taleb (centre) is led away by police after his arrest. Photo / AP

A young Australian man has been nabbed by counterterrorism police at Sydney Airport allegedly trying to travel to the Syrian warzone to fight with Isis (Islamic State).

Moudasser Taleb, 22, from Sydney's southwest was arrested yesterday and will be charged with preparing for an incursion into a foreign country with the intention to carry out violent acts.

Police claim the Australian-born man intended to purchase a plane ticket to Lebanon or Turkey.

"We believe he was acting alone in this particular act and was radicalised by himself," Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson told reporters in Sydney. "We are alleging through online communication he was radicalised and then made a decision to travel overseas and fight for Islamic State.

"People try and source that material themselves rather than being approached."

The foreign incursion charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Taleb, of Middle Eastern background, was known to police and had been on the radar for five months.

Police became aware of Taleb's "concerning" behaviour in January this year. They closely monitored him and said his arrest came when his actions met a certain threshold.

Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Ian McCartney said there'd been a reduction in the "flow of individuals that want to travel to a conflict zone particularly in the last six to 12 months".