Aug. 17 (Bloomberg) -- U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair and Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called on Iraq's new government to work toward a political solution to end fighting in the Muslim holy city of Najaf.
Supporters of the Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr are battling U.S.-led forces in the region. The British and Italian leaders met in Sardinia, Italy, where Blair and his wife Cherie are visiting Berlusconi's residence, Villa Certosa.
``They expressed hopes for a successful national conference in Iraq and a resolution for the situation in Najaf,'' said a statement released by Blair's office in London. ``They are both committed to a peaceful and democratic future for the Iraqi people and the protection of holy sites.''
The two also condemned the ``massacre'' of refugees in Burundi and expressed concern about the treatment of refugees in the Darfur region of Sudan, where at least 10,000 people have died after militias rebelled against government forces.
Eight men arrested in an anti-terrorism swoop have been charged with attempting to launch a radioactive or chemical attack.
The suspects were also charged with conspiracy to commit murder and some accused of plotting a terror campaign against major financial landmarks in the USA.
The men were among those seized in a series of raids in London, the Home Counties and in Lancashire two weeks ago.
Dhiren Bharot, from Willesden, north-west London, is charged with possession of plans for the stock exchange and Citigroup bank building in New York, IMF headquarters in Washington DC.
Along with Nadeem Tarmohammed, again from Willesden, he was also accused of owning documents relating to an alleged attack on the Prudential Building in New Jersey.
Police charged Quaisar Shaffi, 25, also from Willesden, with owning part of the Terrorists' Handbook detailing the preparation of explosives.
Among those held is a man described as a senior al Qaeda agent in Britain."
So it would appear these guys are linked to the orange alert in New York, New Jersey and Washington.