Tony Blair says root of radicalization lies 'within Islam'

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has urged governments to "be honest" and address radical Islamization, and said that although there is not a problem with Muslims in general, there is a problem within Islam - from the adherents of an ideology which is a strain within Islam.

The Washington Times quoted Blair, as saying that this strain is not the province of a few extremists. It has at its heart a view about religion and about the interaction between religion and politics that is not compatible with pluralistic, liberal, open-minded societies, he added.

Blair said the seeds of future fanaticism, terror and major conflict, are being sown. He said the government would have to help sow seeds of reconciliation and peace.

Blair's comments come as Prime Minister David Cameron prepares to make a statement about the Woolwich murder on Monday afternoon.