Post by Salem6 on Jul 14, 2005 5:24:31 GMT
Millions of people across Europe are to join Londoners in a two-minute silence, a week after the bombings that killed at least 52 and injured 700.
Flowers have already been placed near the bomb sites
London buses and cabs will stop; Tube trains will still run but the silence, at 1200 BST, will be announced.
People are being urged to stand outside homes and offices. A vigil will be held at 1800 BST in Trafalgar Square.
In Bali, a candlelit prayer ceremony will be held at the scene of the 2002 bombings to coincide with the silence.
'London United'
London Mayor Ken Livingstone has asked people to stand outside shops, offices and homes to show "their complete defiance of the terrorists".
"It's hoped both events will project a sense of 'London United'," said BBC correspondent Peter Hunt.
Detectives believe they have now identified the four men who died carrying out the attacks - the first suicide bombings in the UK - and believe at least three were British men of Pakistani descent.
SUSPECTED BOMBERS
Shehzad Tanweer: Aged 22, born Bradford, lived Beeston, Leeds. Studied religion in Pakistan. Forensic evidence linking him to Aldgate blast
Hasib Mir Hussain: Aged 18, lived Holbeck, Leeds. Reported missing on day of bombings. Said to have turned very religious two years ago. ID found in No 30 bus
Mohammed Sadique Khan: Aged 30, from Beeston, Leeds, recently moved to Dewsbury, married with baby. ID found at Edgware Road blast site.
Fourth bomber: Still a question mark over his identity. Believed to be a friend of the others and from same area.
They are now focusing their hunt on a fifth man, who they do not believe died, but who masterminded the attacks.
Forensic experts are also examining a property in Aylesbury, Bucks, raided by anti-terrorist officers on Wednesday, but no arrests have been made and no explosives found so far.
The latest developments came as London prepared to hold ceremonies to remember those killed - 14 of whom have been formally identified, although police have yet to release the names of three.
London mayor Ken Livingstone said: "London will remember all of those who died last Thursday and show its defiance of those who try to change the character of our city through terror.
"I want everyone who can to come out of their workplaces and homes on to the streets of London to remember those who died," he said.
The silence will be organised by the Greater London Authority with the Trades Union Congress and various religious groups.
Bell to ring
St Botolph Church, near the Aldgate bomb, will hold a brief Act of Remembrance at 1200 BST.
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, will lead the silence in the Westminster Cathedral piazza, alongside the Lord Mayor of Westminster.
Lloyd's of London said it would ring its Lutine bell at the beginning and end of the two minutes.
It was rung after September 11 attacks and the 26 December tsunami in Asia, a spokesman said.
Airport operator BAA, which runs Heathrow and Gatwick, said that it would try to ensure there were no take-offs or landings during the silence and that the two minutes would be observed in airport terminals.
One of the suspects is Bradford-born Shehzad Tanweer
"Airline staff will be telling people about the silence and inviting them to mark it," said a BAA spokesman.
Overland trains will remain stationary and the silence observed on the concourses at mainline London stations, Network Rail said.
A London Underground spokeswoman said its service would continue to run but said: "As many staff as possible will observe the silence with our customers."
Later thousands are expected to gather at Trafalgar Square to pay their respects and thank rescue and medical staff.
Londoners and members of the transport and emergency services will say readings and poems.
On Wednesday, it emerged that three men from West Yorkshire - Shehzad Tanweer, 22; Hasib Mir Hussain, 18 and Mohammed Sadique Khan, 30 - were suspected of causing three of the bombings.
The identity of the fourth bomber, thought to be responsible for the Piccadilly line explosion, has not been released by police, but is believed to be a friend of the three.
A relative of one of the West Yorkshire suspects was arrested on Tuesday and detectives have been given a warrant to hold the 29-year-old until Saturday on suspicion of commissioning, instigating or preparing acts of terrorism.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4679681.stm
