Roof-top protest at arms factory

The two protesters climbed onto the roof at 0600 BST

Two anti-war campaigners have staged a demonstration on the roof of a Sussex armaments manufacturer.

The pair used a ladder to climb 40ft onto the roof of EDO MBM Defence Systems, in Home Farm Road, Brighton.

The protest by the Smash EDO campaign was the latest in its continuing action against the company over its role in Israel's bombing of targets in Lebanon.

EDO MBM, which makes arms release systems used on Israeli defence planes, was unavailable for comment.

'Complicit in murder'

The protesters climbed onto the roof early on Wednesday, and unfurled a 10ft-long banner stating "16 children killed in Qana, Lebanon. EDO profits from murder."

One of them, identified only as Martin, said: "We know for a fact that parts for the Hellfire missile are made by EDO MBM in Brighton.

"It is, as far as we are concerned, as complicit in murder as the generals who ordered these killings and the fighter pilots who carried out the bombings.

"They are a link in the same sorry chain."

Sussex Police said it had officers at the scene monitoring the situation.