News

UK religious leaders defiant over bombings

Sunday, 10 July 2005 20:32

Leaders of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths in Britain have issued a joint statement expressing their intent to resist attempts to divide them in the wake of Thursday's bomb attacks in London.

Meanwhile in Rome, Pope Benedict called on those who carried out the bombings to 'stop in the name of God' and called for prayers for the attackers as well as the victims and their families.

The Pope was addressing around 20,000 pilgrims during his weekly Angelus address in St Peter's Square.

Earlier today the Taoiseach reiterated his condemnation of the attacks.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio, Bertie Ahern said the acts of terrorism were an assault on every person and the thoughts and prayers of the Irish people are with Britain.

This morning, the British Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, warned that the perpetrators of the bombings could be planning further attacks.

'That is why the number one priority has to be the catching of the perpetrators,' he said.

Mr Clarke was speaking on BBC Television's News 24 Sunday.

And a former head of London's Metropolitan Police earlier said the London bombings were almost certainly the work of British-born terrorists.

Ex-Police Commissioner Lord Stevens, formerly Sir John Stevens, said it was a dangerous illusion to suggest that people of other nationalities were responsible.