DescentBB

HaAGen DaZS wrote:reports from epople watching AQ have told the BBC it's almost certainly work of al quaeda.

why didnt they tell us sooner?!

Al-Qaida Claims Responsibilty for Explosions in British Capital

Al-Qaida has claimed responsibility for the series of blasts that shook central London during rush hour on Thursday morning. Blair has left the G8 meeting for the capital. At least two have been confirmed dead and scores injured in the seven blasts on the city's transportation system.

Confusion is still the order of the day in London. But that which is clear is frightening enough. A number of explosions -- at least seven according to city authorities -- shook the city's public transportation system during rush hour on Thursday morning. A double-decker bus at Tavistock Place had its roof blown completely open by a violent explosion and there were a number of explosions on the London tube as well -- including incidents at Aldgate, Edgware Road, King's Cross, Old Street and Russell Square, and Liverpool Street stations.

The blasts, which were early on blamed on a possible power surge on the London grid, have now been claimed by the terrorist group al-Qaida according to a document posted on Web site often used by the group to announce attacks. A group calling itself "Secret Organization -- al Qaida in Europe" says it was responsible and says it was a reaction to British participation in military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The authenticity of the claim could not immediately be verified.

Arab sources who monitor al-Qaida have also said they believe the attacks are almost certainly the handiwork of Osama bin Laden's terrorist group.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, speaking from the G8 conference in Gleneagles, Scotland, said in an announcement, "It is recently clear that there was a series of terrorist attacks in London."

One caller to the BBC, reporting on the bus explosion at Tavistock Place, said, "The bus ripped open like a can of sardines and bodies everywhere."

So far, police have only confirmed two deaths and scores of injured. Many eye witnesses have reported seeing victims covered in blood and some have spoken of seeing bodies under sheets lying on sidewalks near explosion sites. Hospitals around London have gone on emergency footing and the city has urged Londoners to not call emergency services unless in case of a life threatening situation.

The entire London public transportation system has been shut down and share prices on the London stock exchange immediately dropped by 1.8 percent.

The targeting of rush hour traffic recalls the attacks that rocked Madrid on March 11, 2004, killing 191 people and injuring over 1,500 more. The blasts may have been timed to coincide with the G8 conference, currently being held at the Gleneagles golf resort in Scotland and hosted by British Prime Minister Tony Blair. "It is particularly barbaric that this should happen on a day when people are meeting to address the problems facing Africa and climate change," Blair said. He said that leaders had agreed that the meeting would continue although he himself will be heading to London for the day and plans to return to Gleneagles in the evening.

Purported Al-Qaida Letter Claims Responsibility for Bombings

By Yassin Musharbash

A letter posted on a Web site frequently used by al-Qaida claims that the "Secret Organization of al-Qaida in Europe" is responsible for today's massive terrorist attack in London. In it, the group also issues warnings to Denmark and Italy.

In a letter located by SPIEGEL ONLINE on a Web site trafficked by al-Qaida, a document that claims to be written by the interntional terror group claims responsibility for the London attacks.

"Rejoice, community of Muslims," the letter states. "The heroic mujahedeens today conducted an attack in London," it continues. All of Great Britain is now shaken and shocked, "in the north, the south, west and east." "We've warned the British government and the British people time and again," the letter adds. "We've kept our promise and have carried out a blessed military operation."

"We continue to warn the governments of Denmark and Italy and all other crusader governments." We demand that all countries pull their troops out of Afghanistan and Iraq, states the letter, which has been signed by the "Secret Organization -- al Qaida in Europe."

The authenticity of the document could not be immediately confirmed. But in recent months, authentic bulletins and claims of responsibility from different terrorist groups, including the Iraqi al-Qaida affiliate, have been posted to the "al-Qala'a" Web site where today's posting was found. Inauthentic material, however, has also been posted to the site in the past.

The blasts, which were early on blamed on a possible power surge on the London grid,