Britain's main Muslim group names new leader

LONDON, June 4 (Reuters) Britain's largest Islamist group named Muhammad Abdul Bari as its new leader today.

Bari takes over from Iqbal Sacranie as general secretary of the Muslim Council of Britain, an umbrella body for hundreds of smaller Islamist organisations and the largest lobby group for the country's 1.6 million Muslims.

Sacranie, who held the post from 2002, oversaw a difficult period in the MCB's history after the September 11 attacks on the United States and after the London suicide bombings last July.

Bari, who had been deputy general secretary for the last four years, also takes over at a tricky time days after police raided a house they suspected was being used by two Muslim brothers to make a chemical bomb.

''British Muslims are under the spotlight after recent events,'' said Bari, who is chairman of the largest mosque in east London. ''We know many British Muslims are feeling unsettled and fearful in the light of recent anti-terrorism raids.'' Reuters PDS VP0047