London Terror Update

Here's an update from London. British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Australian Prime Minister John Howard spoke. The following is a paraphrasing of the news conference.

(Blair) I met with the police commissioner. We just need to act calmly. We hope to get the rest of the transport system up and running as soon as possible.

(Howard) Australia sympathizes with and supports the British people. Terrorism is the enemy of all free people.

The response of emergency services in London and Great Britain has been quite remarkable.

Reporters to Blair:

Question: What would you say to those who would not want to go into London?

"It's important that we keep to our normal lives."

Question: Who is responsible?

"The police are best to let you know who is responsible. Terrorist attacks are meant to frighten people. It's important we react calmly."

Question: Do you feel your policies have put us in this position?

The people responsible for doing this are responsible for this situation.

The roots of this are deep. Terrorist attacks go back over 10 years. What they want us to do is say we're responsible. The people that carry out these attacks are the terrorists.

Update at 11:22 EDT

Investigators apparently have found that the explosive device used on the bus in today's event is similar to that which was used in the terror bombings on July 7.

From Sky News:

There has also been an incident on a bus in Hackney, East London.

Police are reportedly examining a rucksack left on the top deck.

Tube stations at Warren Street, Oval and Shepherd's Bush have been closed.

Chemical searches at all four sites have proved negative.

Armed police officers have entered University College Hospital in Bloomsbury close to Warren Street station.

An internal memo to staff at the hospital warned them to be on the lookout for a black male, possibly of Asian origin, about 6ft 2ins tall, wearing a blue top with wires protruding from the rear of the top.

Across London, a man was arrested at gunpoint by armed police at the gates of Downing Street.

In summary, the investigation continues and, from my perspective, it seems to be a botched operation on the part of the terrorists.