The war in Iraq has been a "contributory factor" to the July 7 terrorist bombings in London, said a draft report on events leading up to the attacks.

The report, based on secret assessments by security and intelligence chiefs, said the Iraqi war is likely to continue to provoke extremism among Muslims in Britain, the Guardian reported on Monday.

Britain's role in the invasion of Iraq and its continuing military presence in the country are parts of the report digging for the logic behind the four British suicide bombers.

The report, drafted by a senior civil servant at the request of Home Secretary Charles Clarke following calls for public inquiry into the bombings, is said to refer to economic deprivation, social exclusion, and disaffection with community leaders as other "motivating factors", according to the newspaper.

Incidentally, the draft shares similar view in an confidential report by the Joint Intelligence Committee revealed on Sunday, which noted that "Iraq is likely to be an important motivating factor for some time to come in the radicalization of British Muslims and for those extremists who view attacks against the UK as legitimate."

The report, titled "International Terrorism: Impact of Iraq," was drawn up in April last year before the London bombings, and sent to senior government ministers, including Prime Minister Tony Blair. It warns that Iraq had "reinforced the determination of terrorists who were already committed to attacking the west and motivated others who were not".

It also showed concern that Iraq could provide a training ground for potential terrorists returning to Britain and other countries.

Source: Xinhua