More jihad and counter-jihad in Britain. From the Times Online, with thanks to Sr. Soph:
Britain's promised crackdown on the "preachers of hate" began this morning as ten foreign nationals were detained. Among them, Times Online has learned, is Abu Qatada, described as al-Qaeda’s spiritual ambassador in Europe.Abu Qatada, whose is also known as Sheikh Omar Abu Omar, and the other nine foreign nationals are being held by four police forces, working with the Immigration Service. They are in a prison service facility while the Home Office prepares to deport them.
The Home Office has not confirmed that Abu Qatada is among the people detained this morning but Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, said the foreign nationals were being held and would be deported for "reasons of national security"....
This morning's raids, which were carried out by the immigration service, in concert with the Metropolitan Police, and forces from Bedfordshire, Leicestershire and the West Midlands came just hours after Britain signed a controversial deal with the Jordanian authorities to allow them to deport Abu Qatada back to his homeland, where he has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Whitehall officials accept the attempt to deport Abu Qatada, 44, after 12 years will determine how successful their counter-terror measures will be in the courts. This case is also regarded by ministers as the first indication of the judges’ willingness to accept Tony Blair’s assertion that "the rules of the game have changed"....
MPs from all parties have long called for his expulsion after security chiefs in Europe alleged he was linked to terrorist attacks including the bombing of four commuter trains in Madrid in March 2004.
He also is suspected of inspiring Mohammed Atta, the leader of the September 11 hijackers and the shoe bomber, Richard Reid. His name is included on an American list of "designated global terrorist individuals".
all well and good, but it's only 10, and the deportees will still only be a mouseclick away from their minions.
British-based radical Islamic preacher Omar Bakri Mohammed has been arrested in Lebanon.
The London-based cleric was detained in Beirut, the Lebanese capital, as he was leaving a television interview - less than a week after he left Britain.
The preacher caused controversy by saying he would not report a potential bomber to the police and is currently being investigated by UK authorities.
Lebanese security sources gave no reason for his detention.
He was picked up by the authorities in Beirut at 1200 BST as he left the studios of Future TV, where he had given an interview.
Under Lebanese law he can be held for 48 hours before being charged or released.
'Holiday'
It had been suggested that he fled the UK over fears he would be charged with treason, or another serious offence.
But he denies this, saying he was on holiday for five or six weeks staying with his mother.
He said if the British authorities wanted to charge him with a criminal offence, he "would be the first one to return and challenge the allegation".
The self-styled "sheikh" ran the radical al-Muhajiroun group from Tottenham, north London, until it was disbanded last year.
He is famous for praising the 9/11 hijackers as the "magnificent 19".
He is thought to have dual Syrian and Lebanese nationality but has indefinite leave to remain in the UK after gaining political asylum in the 1980s.
The Crown Prosecution Service is looking at whether remarks by three Muslim clerics, including Omar Bakri Mohammed, break any laws.