Prominent British Islamic militants praise attacks and call bombings justified

Lisa Myers:

As London braces for another feared attack, two prominent British Islamic militants say British civilians are fair targets.

“We don’t live in peace with you anymore,” said Abu Uzair in an interview on BBC Newsnight.

Abu Uzair and Abu Izzadeen — both British citizens — justified and even praised the attacks, which killed 52 people. “What I would say about those who do suicide operations or martyrdom operations — ‘suicide’ is a phrase coined by the media, they’re completely praise-worthy,” said Abu Izzadeen.

Both men previously were associated with a militant group in London that celebrated the 9/11 attacks, calling the hijackers “The Magnificent 19.” For years, the group’s leader has advocated violent attacks outside Britain.

British authorities now are investigating whether some of London’s radical imams played a role in inciting or indoctrinating the bombers. Many attended the most radical mosques.

NBC News found the cousin of suicide bomber Shahzad Tanweer in Pakistan. Ishfaq Ahmad says Tanweer admired Osama bin Laden. “At times he used to praise him [bin Laden] — that he is good man,” said Ahmad.

In England's Ghettoes, bin Laden Beckons

Special Briefing: Jihad: Who's joining, and why?

Special briefing: How radical Islamists see the world

Can a multicultural Britain survive?

The British dream: we must all speak the same language

Blair must overturn 40 years of mistakes