Teachers urged to combat terror

Mr Frattini said it was important to eradicate 'extremism'

Teachers in all EU states must work to prevent young Muslims from becoming radicalised, the vice-president of the European Commission has said.

Franco Frattini, attending an EU anti-terror conference in London, said he intended to hold a gathering on links between schools and "extremism".

It was important to "eradicate from inside" such attitudes among young people, he added.

"We need ... closer co-operation with Muslim communities," Mr Frattini said.

'Persistent threat'

Twenty-four people are now in custody in the UK over the alleged plot to bomb US-bound planes.

UK Home Secretary John Reid, hosting the conference, said the threat from terrorism was "persistent and very real".

The meeting was attended by ministers from Finland, France, Germany, Portugal and Slovenia.

Mr Frattini, the former Italian foreign minister, said that among the measures discussed were proposals to make the internet a "hostile environment" for terrorists.

He added: "I think it's very important to explore further possibilities of blocking websites that incite to commit terrorist actions."

Other proposals considered included a requirement to provide similar data on airline passengers on flights in Europe, to that required by the US and Canadian authorities for passengers travelling to their countries.