Five sticks of explosives were found and defused in a large store in central Paris on Tuesday, local police said.

French police secure the area outside a central Paris department store after explosives were discovered December 16, 2008. [Xinhuanet.com]

The store, Printemps Haussmann, was evacuated and cordoned off after the explosives were found between its first and second floor, according to the police.

The French news agency AFP had earlier received an email from a group named the Revolution Front of Afghanistan, warning of "several bombs" placed in the store.

Michele Alliot-Marie, French Interior Minister, said the explosives were without detonators attached.

There are about 3,000 French troops stationed in Afghanistan with NATO.

French police search the central Paris department store Printemps Haussmann after explosives were discovered December 16, 2008. [Sina.com]