A LEADING expert in Middle Eastern politics has warned that yesterday's bombings in London may not be the end of the terrorists' targeting of Britain.

Professor Anoush Ehteshami, lecturer in Middle Eastern politics at Durham University, said he had no doubt that yesterday's bombings were connected to the conflict in the Arab world.

Prof Ehteshami said the claim of responsibility by al Qaida Europe - which threatened further attacks against Italy and Denmark - was credible and directly linked the bombing to British and American military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He said: "They regard the West to be their mortal enemy and the West's policies in the region to be conspiratorial.

"They regard the fight against the West as a Holy War and the attack in London as tit-for-tat for military action in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Prof Ehteshami said he was not surprised the attack had been claimed by a group previously unknown in the West - saying terrorist groups were known to use a different name for a single operation, but he had no doubt that it was the work of al Qaida.

He said: "The attack in London was highly organised.

"They have examined the London Underground map, they have circled the city, instigated a co-ordinated attack at a premium time in the rush hour and have brought London to a standstill.

"It was a highly-organised attack, but that doesn't mean it is a large organisation - it could be a highly-organised small cell."

Prof Ehteshami was pessimistic about the future, suggesting a solution to the problem which would end the targeting of western cities was a long way off.

"We need a long-term strategy towards this problem," he said.

"It includes reflection on the whole Israeli-Palestinian question, getting Iraq on its feet and making sure Afghanistan develops as a viable independent state.

"Until all that happens, I fear we will be suffering such acts again."