UK missiles pound Afghanistan

Missiles were launched from several Royal Navy Swiftsure-Class subs

British armed forces were the first to join the American military in a night of sustained bombing of key targets in Afghanistan.

British missile-firing submarines took part in the first wave of attacks, and the Prime Minister Tony Blair has said aircraft are available for use in the days ahead.

In these testing times we urge British Muslims to act with utmost patience

British Muslim Council

Later on Monday MPs will hear more detail of the action taken so far against the Taleban regime, when Mr Blair addresses a recall of Parliament at 1800BST.

As the UK's involvement in the military strikes unfolds, Scotland Yard says it has drafted in extra officers to patrol potentially vulnerable parts of London and "reassure" the public.

'No UK casualties'

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told reporters on Monday it was becoming clear that "considerable damage" had been inflicted on key targets as a result of the overnight bombing in Afghanistan.

Mr Straw said there had been no reports of British forces casualties, and every effort had been made to ensure strikes were "accurate and proportionate".

The foreign secretary, who said the start of strikes had received "overwhelming support" from his overseas counterparts, was due to leave for a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

He said the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan would also be at the forefront of discussion, as would the need to create a longer term strategy to ensure a stable government there.

Battle begins

In a statement from Downing Street on Sunday evening, Mr Blair confirmed that the UK had joined the US in a military response to the 11 September terror attacks.

He said the British military base at the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, missile-firing submarines and reconnaissance and other aircraft were involved in the action.

Mr Blair will give more details during the recall of Parliament

The Ministry of Defence later confirmed that three British submarines - HMS Trafalgar, Triumph and Superb - were involved in Sunday's attacks.

The decision to act had not been taken lightly, Mr Blair said, and the start of action was a "moment of utmost gravity for the world".

"But we know that sometimes to safeguard peace we have to fight," he said.

The leader of the Conservative Party, Iain Duncan Smith, has given his full backing to the use of UK troops.

His party's conference, which opens in Blackpool on Monday, will go ahead as planned, although Mr Duncan Smith will have to return to London for the four-hour emergency session of Parliament.

Muslim reaction

The Muslim Council of Britain issued a statement on Monday saying it was "deeply saddened and gravely concerned" about the strikes on Afghanistan, which threatened the safety of "the innocent Afghan people".

It went on to urge British Muslims "to act with utmost patience and not let themselves be provoked" in these testing times.

News of the strikes sparked protests outside Downing Street

A group of about 100 demonstrators gathered at the gates of Downing Street on Sunday night, chanting "welfare not warfare" and "we don't want this war".

Outside the UK, Britons in Indonesia have been advised to stay inside their homes amid fears of street protests in the strongly Muslim country, the Foreign Office said.

It said a reaction was "likely" and advised against non-essential travel to the country, except to Bali.

Fears are also growing for the safety of British journalist Yvonne Ridley who was being held inside Afghanistan.

Taleban authorities had said they would hand over the Sunday Express reporter to UK officials on Monday, but the start of military action has cast uncertainty about her release.

Bin Laden 'unhurt'

The Taleban said Osama Bin Laden and Taleban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar were unhurt amid reports of several casualties in Kabul.

Heavy fighting is also said to have broken out between Northern Alliance and Taleban forces north of Kabul.

In his earlier address to the American nation, President Bush said the Taleban would "pay the price" for sheltering terrorists.

"In this conflict there is no neutral ground, there can be no peace in a world of terror," he said. "We did not ask for this mission but we will fulfil it."

He added that the operation would be accompanied by deliveries of food, medicine and other supplies to the people of Afghanistan.