Belgium receives 'war crimes' suit against Bush/Blair

The Belgian authorities have received lawsuits against British prime minister Tony Blair and US President George W

The Belgian authorities have received lawsuits against British prime minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush under a controversial war crimes law.

However, Brussels said the cases had been forwarded to the defendants' countries, reducing their chances of reaching a court.

Belgium has come under harsh criticism especially from the US for the law, which empowers its courts to try foreigners for serious war and human rights crimes no matter where they were committed.

Lawsuits have also been brought against Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and a string of US officials, including former President George Bush senior, Secretary of State Colin Powell and 1991 Gulf war general Norman Schwarzkopf.