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PRIME Minister John Howard is expected to announce tougher counter-terrorism laws within days following pro-jihad statements by the leader of a fundamentalist Islamic group in Melbourne. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty confirmed this week there are about 60 Islamic extremists in Australia. Mr Howard said last night a tightening of Australia's terror laws was imminent, with authorities to be given greater power to monitor extremists. "As far as future changes are concerned, we are examining what, if any, changes should be made to the law," he said on ABC television. "And I had a detailed briefing from senior people in my department about that this afternoon and I'll be having something more to say about it very shortly." The announcement came as Mr Howard condemned comments made by the leader of a fundamentalist Islamic group in Melbourne – Abdul Nacer Benbrika, also known as Abu Bakr. Mr Benbrika denies being involved in any terrorist activities but said he is a supporter of Osama bin Laden. "Osama bin Laden, he is a great man," he told ABC radio. "Osama bin Laden was a great man before 11 September, which they said he did it, until now nobody knows who did it." Mr Benbrika also told the ABC that Islam doesn't tolerate other religions and it's okay for Australian Muslims to fight coalition troops in Iraq. "You may find many Muslims fighting in Iraq or in Afghanistan, which because they believe they are a brother, as John Howard is helping (US President George W.) Bush in his war, then the people they do the same," he said. "According to my religion, jihad is a part of my religion and what you have to understand that anyone who fights for the sake of Allah, when he dies, the first drop of blood that comes from him out all his sin will be forgiven." Some of Mr Benbrika's students have travelled to central Asia to participate in terrorist training camps but he said he would be betraying his religion if he advised them not to go. "If I do this, it means I am betraying my own religion," he said. Mr Benbrika also said Muslims faced a problem in Australia as to whether to obey Australian or Islamic laws. "There are two laws, there is Australian law, there is Islamic law," Mr Benbrika said. On other religions, he said: "I am not only against the Jew. I am against anyone who try to harm my religion. "I am telling you that my religion doesn't tolerate other religion." Mr Howard rejected Mr Benbrika's claims, but said it was difficult to comment directly on Mr Benbrika because he was a person of interest to government agencies and he did not want to say anything which might prejudice any future proceedings. "I regard myself as an Australian being subject to the laws of this country and I think suggestions that there is an exclusivity of religious belief in this country is against the values we hold. "I think it's also very unfair and damaging to those hundreds of thousands of Muslim Australians who share my view ... that we should respect other religions and we should try and live in tolerance and harmony in this country." Australian spy agency ASIO confiscated Mr Benbrika's passport in March after it raided his home, amid concerns he could prejudice the security of Australia if he travelled overseas, according to ABC radio. Also overnight, Opposition Leader Kim Beazley warned an attack on the nation's power supply was possible. In an address to the Sydney Institute last night, Mr Beazley said the Government was failing in its duty of safeguarding national security. Queensland Newspapers (5-8-2005) |
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