THE outbreak of war on Iraq has been greeted with regret by East Lancashire's religious leaders.

But both the Bishop of Blackburn and the Lancashire Council of Mosques have outlined the need to end Saddam Hussein's brutal regime.

The Rt Rev Alan Chesters has spoken of his regret that military action has been needed and that is something that everybody should echo.

And it is vital that the war is swift and achieves its aims with the minimum casualties and without harming civilians.

As the Lancashire Council of Mosques points out, Iraqi people have suffered a great deal, both as a result of a brutal regime and as a result of the economic sanctions imposed by the West.

We hope that today's action is the beginning of a brighter future for them.

But people of both religions in East Lancashire are united in their wish for Saddam to be defeated.

This unity should be extended across the duration of the conflict and beyond to ensure there is no bitterness, and that the people of East Lancashire continue to work together and maintain our strong community relations.