Extremist cleric urge Muslims to leave Europe

Firebrand Islamist cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed, banned from Britain since August, has called on Muslims to leave Europe.

Bakri, a Lebanese national of Syrian origin who was living in Britain since 1986, was being interviewed in Beirut by France 3 television.

He has been based there since the British Government stripped him of his residency in its campaign to rein in radical leaders.

"There must be two distinct camps so all Muslims must leave Europe," said Bakri, declaring that he was convinced "the Islamic flag will fly one day over Downing Street".

Bakri is head of the extremist movement Al Muhajirun - Arabic for "the emigrants".