PM PLEA TO MUSLIMS

TONY Blair yesterday called on leaders of the Muslim world to declare war on religious fundamentalism.

He said the atrocities of September 11 must be taken as a wake-up call in Islamic countries as well as the West.

The PM risked stirring up opposition from Arab leaders with a blunt "get tough" message in a speech in India.

He said: "There are many reasons why the Al Qaeda network developed. But one reason that cannot be ducked is fundamentalism. We need, with the Muslim world, to take on the fanatics, the extremists who warp the true message of Islam, which is caring and decent".

The hard-hitting call was a clear message to Pakistan to crack down on the Kashmir terror groups operating on its soil.

Mr Blair, has pledged to try to calm the dispute between the two nuclear states.

He will hold talks in Delhi today with Indian premier Atal Behari Vajpayee to urge him to demobilise his forces.

But his meeting with Pakistan President Musharraf in Islamabad tomorrow could hold the key to the crisis.

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