In a dramatic move to protest British Prime Minister Tony Blair's speech on nuclear power, two Greenpeace activists on Tuesday climbed atop the hall where the Confederation of British Industry was holding a meeting and delayed Blair's speech for nearly one hour.

The activists climbed on to the roof and hung out a banner that read "Nuclear: Wrong Answer." They wanted to be allowed to make a 10-minute speech in return for ending the protest, Sky TV reported.

After a 48-minute delay, Blair made his speech in a smaller side-hall at the venue in northern London to launch an energy review which could lead to new nuclear power stations in Britain. The protesters were arrested and taken to a London police station.

Blair said renewable resources could meet some but not all energy gaps and the review would examine nuclear options.

Admitting that nuclear power is "of course a difficult and a challenging issue," the prime minister is believed to view nuclear power as a way to improve the security of Britain's energy supply while helping to meet the country's greenhouse gas targets.

The energy review would be headed by energy minister Malcolm Wicks and be reported by the middle of next year.

Source: Xinhua