''Will return if Australian authorities guarantee security'': Haneef

Melbourne , Dec 24 (UNI) Dr Mohammad Haneef, who was arrested as a 'suspected terrorist' by the Australian police, says he needs reassurance from the country's authorities that he and his family would be safe in Australia before he can consider returning there.

''I would say that we would need reassurance from the authorities as well as the police that there wouldn't be any harm to us when we return back there to Australia,'' media reports quoted him as saying today.

Speaking publicly for the first time after winning the visa appeal , he said he wanted to return to Australia to continue his medical career, but would not do so without his family.

''I like my family and love my family, and live for my family.

There's nothing above my family, not my job, not my career.'' he told his lawyer via phone from Mecca.

Dr Haneef said he wanted to return to Australia to continue his medical training, as he was yet to find a job in India.

However, he said his wife Firdous was reluctant to accompany him to Australia with their newborn baby because ''of the trauma which I have undergone throughout this ordeal''.

Australian Federal Police arrested Dr Haneef at Brisbane International Airport on July 2 as he attempted to board a flight to India, just days after failed UK terrorist attacks.

He was held for 12 days before finally being charged with providing support to a terrorist organisation for having given his mobile phone SIM card to his cousin Sabeel Ahmed, one of the men accused of the attempted UK bomb attacks.

The charge was dropped a fortnight later after Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions Damien Bugg found there was no reasonable prospect of securing a conviction against the 27-year-old doctor.

But former immigration minister Kevin Andrews had already cancelled Dr Haneef's visa on character grounds, meaning he was unable to return to work.

UNI