A BURY anti-war group has been forced to draw up new battle lines.

At a meeting at Bury Town Hall, the Bury Stop the War Coalition discussed how it was no longer possible to stop the war or force a responsible withdrawal of British troops from Afghanistan.

Therefore the coalition altered its objectives and worked out a new strategy to fit the new situation.

It was decided to make it a priority to stop future such wars, including any attempt to target "rogue states" Iraq and Somalia, force the US and Britain to accept financial responsibility for conditions in refugee camps and urge the Government to distance its foreign policy from that of the US. The group also decided to change its a name to Stop the Wars Coalition.

The coalition will meet with the two Bury MPs in the near future, send members to the national demonstration in London on January 26 and 27, and continue to raise funds for Afghan refugees

Mr Bill Brison, a member of the coalition, said: "The peace movement has been constantly wrong-footed by the sheer arrogance and unbelievable brutality of the Bush-Blair actions."

For more information contact Mr Brison on 0161 764 3998.