Police are appealing for a couple who may have witnessed an incendiary bomb being left in Belfast city centre to come forward.

The large incendiary bomb, made up of gas cylinders and pipe bombs linked to containers full of flammable liquid, was found in a car.

The car was parked near the motor-tax office on Upper Queen Street in the city at about 1800 GMT on Sunday.

The man and woman were walking on Upper Queen Street at about the same time.

CCTV image: The couple police want to interview

The police said the couple's lives were seriously endangered.

The woman was wearing a three-quarter length light-coloured coat and dark trousers. She has dark hair.

The man was also wearing a light coloured coat and was carrying a plastic bag.

A 34-year-old man has been charged with possessing explosives with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to cause an explosion.

Army bomb disposal experts carried out controlled explosions on the car and made the device safe.

During the security operation the police shot a man on nearby Fisherwick Place in the chest and leg. He is in a stable condition in hospital.