Enough consensus for military action: Blair

LONDON, OCT. 6. The British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, said today there was now sufficient world consensus for military action to be taken against Afghanistan's ruling Taliban regime following the September 11 terrorist strikes on the U.S.

Mr. Blair was speaking to journalists aboard his chartered flight from New Delhi, shortly before arriving back in London after a two-day whirlwind tour to shore up support for the U.S.-led anti- terrorism campaign.

``We have obviously been prepared since September 11 and those preparations for any military actions are there, so that's clear,'' Mr. Blair told Sky News.

``The Taliban regime have had now three weeks when it's been made quite clear what they have to do to avoid being targeted''.

The British Prime Minister stressed: ``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 called the political and diplomatic coalition against terrorism ``very strong''.

``Things are coming into place. The timing of any action is a matter to be discussed with our close allies,'' he added.

- AFP

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Section  : International
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