Zapatero suggests an ‘alliance of civilisations’

THE Spanish Prime Minister yesterday suggested an “alliance of civilisations” to combat the scourge of terrorism.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he could see potential in the proposal for an alliance of Muslim and non-Muslim countries to tackle the problem. After talks at 10 Downing Street with Spanish counterpart Jose Zapatero, Mr Blair said it was an idea with merit.

Mr Blair said: "We discussed the proposal that the Spanish prime minister has made for what he calls an alliance of civilisations, which is the idea that we join together, our countries with Muslim countries Turkey is particularly involved in this to form a coalition of civilised people from whatever race or religion to combat the barbarity of terrorism.