London car bombs - Terrorist acts are self-defeating

The car bomb discovered near Piccadilly Circus in London yesterday, and a second explosives-rigged car found nearby, would probably have caused a large loss of life and extensive damage if it had gone off as planned.

It has revived haunting memories of the outrage of July 7, 2005, when 52 people were killed on three London subways and a bus.

British security officials do not know yet who was behind the planned explosion, but they have admitted that they have feared a Baghdad-style bombing on the streets of London for some months. Hence the finger of suspicion has been pointed at young British Muslims, who have been travelling to Iraq and Afghanistan to join the mujahadeen.