Britain has decided to ban the term 'War on Terror' - sparking fears of a major row with the US. The International Development Secretary will say the phrase has strengthened militant groups by giving them a shared identity. Hilary Benn's speech is expected to anger the White House when he criticises President Bush's phrase. He will stress the term makes terrorist groups feel that they are part of something "bigger". Mr Benn will also urge world leaders to open dialogue with potential enemies rather than use military force. President Bush championed the phrase 'War on Terror' shortly after the al Qaeda attacks on New York on September 11, 2001. The Foreign Office called for it to be dropped in December last year but Washington stuck to its guns. Mr Benn will say in his speech: "In the UK, we do not use the phrase 'War on Terror' because we can't win by military means alone, and because this isn't us against one organised enemy with a clear identity and a coherent set of objectives. "It is the vast majority of the people in the world - of all nationalities and faiths - against a small number of loose, shifting and disparate groups. "What these groups want is to force their individual and narrow values on others without dialogue, without debate, through violence. And by letting them feel part of something bigger, we give them strength." It is thought his comments could help Mr Benn's standing among Labour backbenchers at a crucial time. They are due to vote shortly on who should be the party's next deputy leader and President Bush has become a hate figure for many on the left.