General: West will never defeat al-Qaida

THE head of Britain’s Armed Forces, has warned that the West will never be able to defeat al-Qaida and Islamic militants.

As his country prepared for Remembrance Day ceremonies yesterday, General David Richards said the national security of Britain is still at stake, but the threat can be contained to allow Britons to lead secure lives.

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Gen Richards, 58, said: “Make no mistake, the global threat from al-Qaida and its terrorist affiliates is an enduring one and one which, if we let it, will rear its head in states, particularly those that are unstable.