Royal wedding invite to Syrian envoy withdrawn

THE Syrian ambassador was yesterday banned from the royal wedding to stop the growing guest list row.

There was fury after it emerged Dr Sami Khiyami, whose regime is continuing to kill democracy protesters, was invited but Labour PMs Gordon Brown and Tony Blair were not.

Foreign Secretary William Hague stepped in and his department said: “In the light of attacks against civilians by Syrian security forces, Buckingham Palace shares the view that it is not appropriate for the Syrian ambassador to attend.”

Dr Khiyami said the situation was “a bit embarrassing”.

Former Labour Foreign Office minister Denis MacShane said Mr Hague should rescind invitations to any hard-line regime with “blood on their hands”.

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http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/2011/04/29/palace-withdraws-wedding-invite-to-syrian-envoy-115875-23093434/#ixzz1KsgwTzPd

A million Libyans need aid as UK, France seek no-fly zone

(Reuters) - Britain and France said they were seeking U.N. authorization for a no-fly zone over Libya, as Muammar Gaddafi's warplanes counter-attacked against rebels and aid officials said a million people were in need.

Al Jazeera television said rebels had rejected an offer by Gaddafi to hold a meeting of parliament to work out a deal under which he would step down.

With civilians surrounded by forces loyal to Gaddafi in two western towns, Misrata and Zawiyah, fears grew of a rising humanitarian crisis if the fighting continued.

U.N.aid coordinator Valerie Amos said more than a million people fleeing or inside the country needed humanitarian aid.

"Humanitarian organizations need urgent access now," she said. "People are injured and dying and need help immediately."

The U.N. appealed for $160 million to fund an operation over the next three months to get shelter, food and medicines ready.

MILITARY OPTIONS

"We are working closely with partners on a contingency basis on elements of a resolution on a no-fly zone, making clear the need for regional support, a clear trigger for such a resolution and an appropriate legal basis," British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Monday.

A French source said France was "working with our partners in New York on a no-fly zone resolution." Gulf states called for a no-fly zone and an urgent Arab League meeting.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, in Afghanistan where foreign forces have struggled for a decade, warned action should be taken only with international backing. The White House said all options were on the table, including arming rebels.

Russia, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council with veto powers, said it opposed foreign military intervention.

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen stressed the need for U.N. authorization. "I can't imagine the international community and the United Nations would stand idly by if Gaddafi and his regime continue to attack their own people," he said.

"We have asked our military to conduct all necessary planning so that we stand ready at short notice," he added.

NATO has launched 24-hour surveillance of Libya with AWACS reconnaissance aircraft, the U.S. ambassador to NATO said.

Ivo Daalder added NATO representatives were discussing other possible moves ahead of a meeting of NATO ministers on Thursday.

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http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/08/us-libya-protests-idUSTRE71G0A620110308

Euro laws make UK a 'haven for terrorists'

The United Kingdom has become a "safe haven" for foreign terrorism suspects because European human rights legislation is making it difficult to deport dangerous people, Britain's anti-terror watchdog has warned.

In a sharp criticism of rulings handed down from the European Court of Human Rights, Lord Carlile said such laws hampered Britain's security and meant that terrorist suspects were able to stay in the UK.

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that some foreign terror suspects cannot be sent home if there is a risk they may be mistreated or tortured.

In May, European law prevented the alleged ringleader of an al-Qaeda bomb plot and another man regarded by authorities as a serious threat to national security from being sent by Britain to their native Pakistan.

"The effect is to make the UK a safe haven for some individuals whose determination is to damage the UK and its citizens, hardly a satisfactory situation," said Lord Carlile in his annual review of counter-terrorist legislation.

But his analysis was disputed by human rights campaigners, with Amnesty International claiming it was "outrageous" to suggest that the UK had become a safe house for terrorists.

Unlike many other countries in Europe, Britain does not permit telephone tapping to be used in evidence - meaning several suspected terrorists have escaped prosecution. The European rulings also mean the UK has been prevented from deporting some suspected terrorists.

To circumvent the European law, Britain has asked countries to sign agreements pledging not to mistreat suspects deported there, including Algeria, Jordan and Ethiopia.

A pact struck with Libya is currently on hold after it was challenged by Britain's courts.

Lord Carlile, who is stepping down shortly from his position as the independent reviewer of anti-terrorism laws, backed that approach, saying: "I support the proposals in the counter-terrorism review that the government should pursue deportation arrangements with more countries.

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http://news.scotsman.com/news/Euro-laws-make-UK-a.6710774.jp