Britain's police chief Sir Ian Blair apologized yesterday for the death of Jean Charles de Menezes, the innocent Brazilian man shot dead at Stockwell station in south London last Friday.

"This is a tragedy. The Metropolitan police accepts full responsibility for this. To the family I can only express my deep regrets," Sir Ian told Sky News.

As the police launched an investigation into the shooting, Sir Ian said: "There is nothing gratuitous or cavalier going on. There is no shoot-to-kill policy, there is a shoot-to-kill to protect policy."

Sir Ian's apology followed the admission by police that the 27-year electrician was not connected to the suspected suicide bomb attempts on three underground trains and a bus on Thursday.

Police have made two arrests following Thursday's botched attacks. Officers have not released their identities or many other details about them. Blair said the detainees remained in custody, but added that officers were "still anxious for any sighting of the four individuals" who carried out the Thursday strikes.

Police initially said they believed Menezes was a suspect in Thursday's attacks, but later said he had no connection to the bomb attempts.

(China Daily July 25, 2005)