Pope's message contains veiled criticism of US 'terror' tactics

Pope Benedict XVI criticised George Bush as he declared states had to set ethical limits in what they do to protect their citizens from terrorism.

He also suggested some countries had flouted humanitarian law in recent wars.

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International human rights groups have criticised the U.S. over its treatment of terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay and the practice of 'rendition', or flying terror suspects to third countries for interrogation.

Although the Pope did not identify any specific countries, Vatican sources made it clear he was referring to the U.S. particularly.

The Pope made his comments in an annual message for the Roman Catholic Church's World Day of Peace, celebrated on January 1. In the message, which is traditionally sent to governments and international organisations, he also repeated his belief that war in God's name is never justified.

The Pope also decried other threats to peace such as hunger, poverty, environmental harm and regimes he said were persecuting Christians.

'The new shape of conflicts, especially since the terrorist threat unleashed new forms of violence, demands that the international community reaffirm international humanitarian law,' he wrote.

AT least 71 people were killed and 221 wounded in Iraq. A suicide bomber posing as a company boss lured casual labourers desperate for work into a deadly trap in Baghdad.