The fight against terrorism must observe the rule of law, French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin 'Let us avoid zones where there are no rights, let us reject anything that can give rise to arbitrariness, whether this means military interventions without the international community's authorisation, exceptional tribunals, or detention centres outside the framework of international law,' he said. 'The greatest determination in the face of terrorism, yes, but always while respecting the rule of law.'
The US military is holding 460 foreigners at the Guantanamo prison, many of whom were captured in Afghanistan in the war to oust the Taliban and Al Qaeda after the Sept 11 attacks.