Prime Minister Tony Blair told parliament Monday that Britain was involved in military action in Afghanistan "for the long haul" as he confirmed that a fresh wave of attacks had been launched.
While security measures were stepped up in London against possible retaliation, Blair told a somber House of Commons in an emergency sitting: "We will continue to act, with steadfast resolve, to see this struggle through to the end..."
Referring to the first wave of the US-led attacks Sunday, in which British forces participated, he said early indications were that they were "successful in achieving their objectives of degrading elements of the al-Qaeda terrorist facilities and the Taliban military apparatus."
"In time, they will be supported by other actions, again carefully targeted on the military network of the enemy," he said.
The prime minister added: "Even when al-Qaeda is dealt with, the job is not over. The network of international terrorism is not confined to it."
A British submarine fired Tomahawk missiles in Sunday's first volley of attacks.
The ministry of defense said that, while British forces were involved this time, too, it was in a logistical support role. "As far as firing cruise missiles or firing bombs, the UK has not got involved with that today."
Blair said the US-led international coalition was doing "all we can" to limit the effects of the action on ordinary Afghans, pledging: "We will not walk away from them once the conflict ends."
He said that, in addition to France, Germany, Australia and Canada, Spain had now indicated its readiness to provide military support.
The al-Qaeda network is run by Osama bin Laden, the chief suspect over the bloody September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington which killed more than 5,000 people.
US and British forces went into action against Afghanistan after its ruling Taliban regime refused to hand over bin Laden.
Blair said the regime's "lie machine" must be ignored, adding: "We know their aim it is to foment conflict between Islam and the West," while a video of bin Laden released Sunday showed his "murderous intent."
Blair added that the coalition had not chosen the conflict but "a desire to live in peace should never be interpreted as weakness by those who attack us."
The prime minister also confirmed that the Taliban had handed over detained British journalist Yvonne Ridley to Pakistani officials and that she had been met by British diplomats.
The military strikes on Afghanistan had triggered concerns that the Islamic militia's earlier promise to release Ridley might be compromised.
In London, extra police were stationed at potential terrorist targets, such as parliament, airports, Buckingham Palace and the US embassy, although police said there was no intelligence of a specific threat.
Earlier Monday Blair formed a war cabinet as ministers warned there would be "weeks" of military strikes.
Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon said US and British forces had hit 30 military targets overnight, ranging from air defense sites to airfields and training camps.
Hoon stressed that while the use of ground troops was an option, no decision had yet been taken.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw insisted there was "overwhelming support" for military action, which would last "weeks." "We're certainly not talking days, unless something absolutely dramatic happens."
Removing the Taliban was not a specific war aim, Straw added, but "we hope very much that as a consequence of this action ... the Taliban do leave power. Indeed, we think that is likely to be the case” -- LONDON (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
