BBC NEWS | Business | G8 statements delayed to Friday

"G8 statements delayed to Friday
Blair has gone to London but the other leaders are still talking

World leaders at the G8 summit have put back all announcements until Friday after a series of deadly blasts in London temporarily disrupted talks.

The world leaders paused to condemn what they called 'an attack on civilised peoples everywhere'.

Talks then resumed in UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's absence as he travelled to London for police briefings.

Soon after his departure, developing nations called for action on climate change and for reduced trade barriers.

Before leaving for London, Mr Blair said it was 'reasonably clear' the explosions were designed to coincide with the opening of the G8 and insisted it was the will of all the G8 leaders that the summit should continue regardless.

It was 'particularly barbaric' that this should occur when people are meeting to tackle poverty, Mr Blair said."

BBC NEWS | Business | G8 statements delayed to Friday