Statement re Sheik Hassan Al Zagani
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Sheik Hassan Al Zagani, Foreign Affairs spokeman for the Al Sadr movement in Iraq, was invited to participate in this conference. On two occasions he was refused a visa to enter the UK despite representation on his behalf from Stop the War Coalition and MPs.

Yesterday afternoon (Friday 9 December) the Lebanese government informed his family - resident in Beirut - to leave Lebanon within 48 hours as a direct result of pressure from the British and UK governments. Mr Zagani is now in Damascus and is not permitted to return to Beirut. His wife, three children and his mother must all leave Lebanon.

In a message to this conference he says: "The British and American governments send armies to occupy Iraq but are frightened of one person speaking at a peace conference in London. So much for the democracy which they claim to install in Iraq. They were not satisfied with banning me from Britain, but have now succeeded in expelling me and my family from Lebanon in this inhumane and vindictive way."

We, the Stop the War Coalition, condemn the actions of the British, American and Lebanese governments and demand the immediate rescinding of this expulsion order.

Stop the War Coaltion

Royal Horticultural Hall

London SW1

Saturday 10 December 2005