The publicly-owned airport confirmed it is working out the practicalities of an ``anti-rendition'' policy after discussions with Amnesty International.

The human rights organisation is confident airport owner Derry City Council will introduce a landmark ban within weeks that will put pressure on other airports to follow suit.

``I think we can say with as much confidence as we can garner that this will be a first for Europe,'' said Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty spokesman.

``We are not aware of any other local authority or any other airport in Europe which has a specific anti-rendition policy.''

The proposed ban follows the European Commission's backing last month of a high-level committee report accusing several EU nations of turning a blind eye to so-called ``extraordinary rendition'' flights.

The report demanded further investigations into countries, including Ireland and Britain, alleged to have violated EU Human Rights regulations.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern dismissed the committee's criticism that he had failed to answer questions during a year-long EU probe into the CIA flights.

City of Derry Airport was suspected of being used by US agents transporting detainees but was later cleared of any wrongdoing by an Amnesty investigation.

The human rights organisation opened talks with councillors about introducing a formal policy outlawing the controversial stopovers.

The two main parties on the council - the nationalist SDLP and Sinn Fein - have embraced the plans to be debated at a full meeting of councillors.

Former Guantanamo Bay detainees are expected to meet with some of the councillors next week ahead of a vote on a motion.

The SDLP's Gerry Diver, a prominent member of the governing Airport Committee, was emphatic about his party position on an anti-rendition policy.

``It's something we are very keen to see and support,'' he said.

``At the minute the practicalities of this are being looked at by council officers with a view to bringing a motion before the council. I obviously hope we can do that.''

Sinn Fein, long time vocal opponents of the use of airports anywhere in Ireland by US intelligence agencies, is also rowing in behind the proposals.

But the Democratic Unionist Party chairperson of the council's Airport Committee Joe Miller said there were more pressing matters to be dealt with.

``It's not something that's really been in our minds. It wasn't raised on the doorsteps when we were canvassing. It's not a burning issue,'' he said.