Differences in emphasis about the future of the al Qaeda terrorist network after the capture or death of Osama bin Laden emerged within the British Government yesterday.
As the Foreign Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, told reporters at a Foreign Office briefing the coalition "cannot be certain" bin Laden's removal would close down al Qaeda, the Defence Secretary, Mr Geoff Hoon, said it was "hard to contemplate" how the terrorist network could survive without its leader.
They were speaking ahead of another frenetic round of diplomacy for the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, who flies to Washington for talks with President Bush later today to review progress in the campaign against terrorism and the Middle East process. Mr Blair will return to London tomorrow for talks with Pakistan's President, Gen Pervez Musharraf and King Abdullah of Jordan and he will meet Spain's Prime Minister, Mr Jose Maria Aznar on Friday.
The differences surfaced as Mr Straw outlined plans for a post-Taliban government in Afghanistan, insisting those who had joined the Taliban fearing "a bullet in the back" could have a role in a future political administration.
At the same time, Mr Hoon, confirming the bombing of Afghanistan would not stop during Ramadan, predicted al Qaeda would suffer "significant damage" as a result of bin Laden's capture. "It is important that we roll up the network, but we will be cutting off its head, and that's the action that's being taken in Afghanistan," he told BBC R4's Today programme. Downing Street moved swiftly to deny any differences of opinion between Mr Straw and Mr Hoon, saying the campaign against terrorism was always "about more than one man."
Sussex Police, meanwhile, revealed that four British men who flew from Florida to London on Saturday were arrested allegedly carrying weapons including knives, knuckle-dusters and a tazer stun gun. The weapons were discovered in their luggage when they arrived at Gatwick Airport. One man was charged with possessing two large knives and the other three men were cautioned.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth, speaking out publicly for the first time on the international war against terrorism, said hate-filled extremists should never be allowed to succeed.
She was speaking at a banquet at Windsor Castle to welcome Jordan's King Abdullah and Queen Rania.