A FIFTH of young Arabs and Muslims overseas view Britain more negatively than they did before September 11 and the "war on terrorism," according to a survey published.

Research by the British Council found 19% of 15- to 25-year-olds in nine countries saw the UK less favourably than before.

The main reason for the decline was Britain's foreign policy, particularly its support for the US. The UK also "shared in the fallout" suffered by the US because of its perceived lack of sympathy with the "Palestinian cause," said the report.

Chairman of the British Council, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, said there was "very solid and real antagonism and antipathy" towards the UK.

"People do feel the US and Britain and the West generally is not caring enough about the concerns of the Islamic and Arab world.

The research, entitled Connecting Futures, questioned 4,700 young people in nine countries with substantial Muslim populations.

It also found 63% continued to place the UK high on their list of favourite nations, while 18% actually viewed Britain more favourably in the wake of September 11.

Britain was the fourth most highly-thought-of country after the US, Japan and Egypt.