Terror hit on London inevitable, says cleric

LISBON - Several Islamic militant groups are preparing attacks on London, making such a strike unavoidable, a radical Muslim cleric says in an interview with a Portuguese magazine.

"It's inevitable, because several [attacks] are being prepared by several groups," Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad told Lisbon's Publica magazine from London, where he lives.

One "very well organised" group in London calling itself al Qaeda Europe had a great appeal for young Muslims, he said.

"I know that they are ready to launch a big operation."

London police said they were not prepared to discuss the claims, but Britain's most senior police officer, Sir John Stevens, has previously said an attack was inevitable.

The firebrand cleric, who has outraged moderate Muslims and non-Muslims alike with his uncompromising views, gave no further details.

Asked if a British Muslim was allowed to carry out a "terrorist attempt" in a foreign country, Muhammad said: "That is another story."

He added: "We don't make a distinction between civilians and non-civilians, innocents and non-innocents. Only between Muslims and unbelievers.

"And the life of an unbeliever has no value. It has no sanctity."

It was important to see accusations of terrorism in their proper context, he said.

"If we give money to needy women and children, they say they are the families of terrorists.

"But where do the terrorists come from? Zimbabwe? No. They are people from here. And they are our brothers, the terrorists.

"The British also are terrorists, in Iraq ... Terrorism is the law of the 21st century. It's legitimate."

Muhammad said he had mixed feelings about the possible effect of his comments.

"In a certain way I regret that, because the first thing the Government will do is deport me, myself and my family," he said.

The Syrian-born cleric heads the al Muhajiroun group, which has praised the September 11 attacks on the United States and the al Qaeda militant network blamed for them.

He told Publica there were several "freelance" militant groups in Europe, such as al Qaeda London, prepared to launch attacks similar to those carried out by the al Qaeda network.

Four British men and a teenager appeared in court in Britain charged with plotting a bombing after being arrested in the country's biggest anti-terror raids since the September 11 attacks.

The men, all of Pakistani origin, were arrested on March 30 in raids which uncovered 600kg of ammonium nitrate, a fertiliser that can be used in bomb making.

Asked about his comments that he wanted to have the banner of Islam at 10 Downing St, the Prime Minister's residence, Muhammad said, "Yes, it's my dream.

"I believe one day that is going to happen. Because this is my country, I like living here."

- REUTERS