London mayor and Muslims

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, on Tuesday said that U.S. President George W. Bush and the so-called new right-wing conservatives are marketing the idea of clash of civilizations among Muslims and the West.

In a statement delivered on the margin of the British Trade Unions Conference, Livingstone called on the British government to exert effort to combat racism, expressing hope that London could be set as an example for coexistence among races and for combating racism.

The mayor called for facing the escalated danger of the British National Party (BNP ), warning that tolerance over ideas on the alleged inevitable clash of civilizations would be exploited by groups like the BNP.

Livingstone's comments on President Bush and the American foreign policy are expected to stir up controversy. Mayor Livingstone is one of the strongest opponents to Britain's participation in the war on Iraq.