Clear messages

From the horse's mouth.

THREE former Islamic terrorists have praised Prime Minister John Howard for his tough stance on Muslim extremists in Australia.

Walid Shoebat, Kamal Saleem and Zachariah Anani - all former covert operators for the Palestinian Liberation Organisation who now speak out against Islamic radicals - yesterday encouraged other world leaders to follow Mr Howard in being vocal against fundamentalist groups embedded in western nations.

Saleem, a computer software engineer who had terrorism training in Islamic cells around the world, said Mr Howard was an inspiration.

"We are so proud of John Howard and I would challenge any nation to look to what he did when he said 'if you don't like it in this country, get the hell out'," Saleem, 49, said yesterday.

"He's got guts and has given a clear message."

They should know.