The British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair today warned all preparations were now in place for a military strike against Osama bin Laden's terror network and Afghanistan's ruling Taliban regime.
He said his three-day diplomatic shuttle mission had left him convinced that a global coalition now accepted the "inter-connection" between Bin Laden and the Taliban.
"We have obviously been prepared since September 11 and those preparations for any military actions are there, so that's clear," he told travelling with him en route from New Delhi, India, to London.
"The Taliban regime have had now three weeks when it's been made quite clear what they have to do to avoid being targeted."
Mr Blair said: "There are very, very important reasons for taking this action. For a long time there was an insufficient world consensus about taking such action, but there is now."
Mr Blair also warned: "We can't undertake military action without any risks being run but we can do everything, we will do everything, to minimise risks to our servicemen."
"Things are coming into place. The timing of any action is a matter to be discussed with our close allies," he said during a Sky Newsinterview recorded on board his chartered British Airways 777 jet.
"What has been happening is that there is a political and diplomatic coalition there that's very strong.
"The Taliban have had several weeks in which to respond, they have known what they have to do - and what has become clear in the discussions I have had in the region is that the links between Bin Laden and the Taliban are enormous. They are interconnected totally along with each other."
The British Prime Minister has also outlined the practical - as well as moral - case to send British troops into action in an article for the News of the World.
He argued tackling terror chief Osama bin Laden and his allies is vital to Britain's self-interest. But he wrote the international crisis would not prevent the Government delivering all it had promised during the election, he said.
Mr Blair landed back in London tonight after a diplomatic odyssey which began on Thursday with a trip to Moscow and was then followed by visits to Islamabad, Pakistan's capital and India.
In New Delhi earlier today Mr Blair welcomed India's support for the growing international coalition but was warned by his Indian counterpart Mr Atal Bihari the events of September 11th should not be seen in isolation.
PA