LONDON, May 22: Britain has announced a complete ban on the manufacture, transfer, import and export of landmines and imposed a moratorium on their operational use with the armed forces.

Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and Defence Secretary George Robertson disclosed that Britain is to join an international initiative to secure a global ban on landmines in what is a significant policy switch from the previous Conservative government.

But the armed forces will retain the right to ask ministers for authority to use remaining stocks if the lives of British forces are threatened.

Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair said in Parliament that mines had caused enormous carnage, often to innocent civilians and children, and the sooner Britain took a lead in getting rid of them, the better.

Cook said in a statement, ``Every hour, another three people lose their life or lose a limb from stepping on a landmine. Thousands of young children who ran on to a landmine are left unable to run ever again.''The government's move was seen as a boost for British campaigners led by Diana, the Princess of Wales, who has braved political censure to speak out for a worldwide ban.

Britain will destroy all its stocks of Anti-Personnel Landmines (APLS) by 2005 and look at ways to speed up their destruction.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.