London, Mar. 20 : A Scottish university head has severely criticized the US-led war on terror, branding it a "huge mistake" that has made the world a more dangerous place.

Professor Louise Richardson, head of St Andrews University and a global expert on terrorism, said she was "completely convinced when the history of this period is written, the declaration of the war on terror will be seen to have been a huge mistake."

"I believe we did ourselves far more harm in our reaction to 11 September than Bin Laden ever did to us. I still see the threats and risk to our future as something we will do to ourselves, not something anyone else will do to us," The Scotsman quoted her, as saying.

Richardson, who in 2006 published a book with the title "What Terrorists Want", said: "Instead of commencing wars and killing vast numbers of innocent civilians, the US and its allies, including Britain, should realize that terrorism cannot be defeated once and for all, and adopt a far more considered and effective approach that relies on intelligence to minimize the threat."

Richardson has taught and written widely on terrorism, international relations and British foreign and defense policy.

Richardson was the first woman to be appointed principal of one of Scotland''s ancient universities. (ANI)