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    CANBERRA, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister John Howard said on Friday that he has been told that the number of people killed in the London terrorist bombings has risen to 52 and the figure is expected to increase.

    

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said on Friday that he has been told that the number of people killed in the London terrorist bombings has risen to 52 and the figure is expected to increase. (Xinhua/AFP)

He told reporters here that he wants to express sympathy to theBritish people on behalf of the government and all Australians.

    He also said that Australia will send a team of six experts from police forces and the transport department to London to help with the investigation.

    "This brutal, indiscriminate, unforgivable attack on innocent people going about their daily lives is a mark of the depraved character of the people who carried it out, a mark of their utter alienation from the mainstream of any noble thoughts or religious convictions to be found anywhere in the world," he said.

    The prime minister said there is no intelligence to suggest hiscountry would be the next target of terrorist attacks.

    "We do not have any specific intelligence of any kind suggesting that because this attack has taken place it is more likely there would be an attack on the Australian homeland," he said.

    But, he continued, "I have never hidden or concealed my view that this country could experience a very serious terrorist attack."

    Howard confirmed that seven Australians were injured in the London attacks, with one remaining in a "very critical" condition.Enditem    

::::::	Security tightened up across Europe 08/07 05:57
::::::	US offers to help investigate explosions in London 08/07 04:47
::::::	London blasts bear hallmarks of al-Qaeda attacks: Straw 08/07 04:21
::::::	Blair vows to bring blasts criminals to justice 08/07 02:01
::::::	US raises terror alert for mass transit following London blast 08/07 01:57

::::::	Britons taste bliss, shock in just one day 07/07 23:50
::::::	Swedish says London blasts similar to Sept. 11 08/07 01:59
::::::	G8 statements delayed to Friday due to blasts in London 08/07 02:08
::::::	London explosions plummet European stock markets 08/07 02:18
::::::	Blair says British people not be intimidated 08/07 01:29

::::::	World leaders condemn terrorist attacks in central London 07/07 21:31
::::::	Bush vows not to yield to terrorists 08/07 00:01
::::::	G8 leaders pledge to prevail despite bombing 07/07 21:04
::::::	Blair leaves G8 summit after explosions in London 07/07 20:51
::::::	UK home secretary confirms 4 explosions in London 07/07 20:40

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