Home Secretary John Reid will urge other countries' interior ministries to concentrate on counter-terrorism, three days after splitting the Home Office.
Home Secretary John Reid has called for human rights laws to be rewritten to protect people against terrorism.
He will tell a summit of the G6 nations, the six largest in the EU, current interior ministries are not sufficient to combat modern terrorism.
In a speech to ministers of the six largest EU nations in Venice, he said the current situation was unacceptable.
He will also warn counter-terrorism needs "constant political oversight".
Citizens were not being protected by politicians who followed case law "to the letter", Mr Reid said.
In the UK, a new Justice Ministry will concentrate on terrorism, security and immigration.
He added that the international legal system needed modernising and that the distinction between armed conflict and criminal acts was out of date.
At the summit, in Venice on Saturday, Mr Reid is expected to say: "The re-focused Home Office draws on British conditions but it also addresses global changes and challenges in today's world.
'Leadership needed'
'Security challenges'
Mr Reid said: "We need to work to modernise the law - still protecting human rights and still providing equity and justice - but reflecting the reality of the conflicts and struggles we now face," he told the G6 summit
"It is not a US homeland security ministry and nor is it continental European ministry of justice and ministry of interior split.
"We need leadership to do this. It can't be left solely to the lawyers.
"Neither of these approaches fit our British historical legacy, but nor are they sufficient for the 21st century security challenges as we see them."
"Politicians must expose these issues and set a lead, so that we can protect the rights of all our citizens, including all those threatened by terrorism."
Mr Reid is expected to add: "Our considered view, which is based on hard analysis, is that we face a seamless challenge with a threat that crosses defence, foreign and domestic affairs.
The conference of home affairs and interior ministers is also being attended by US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and EU security chief Franco Frattini.
Our approach is not uniquely about us or just for us, it could equally work for others Home Secretary John Reid
Mr Reid's speech came three days after the Home Office was split in the UK.
"We need, therefore, to integrate our counter-terrorism effort at a strategic, operational and tactical level."
A new Ministry of Justice will leave the Home Office to concentrate on terrorism, security and immigration.
The conference of home affairs and interior ministers is also being attended by US homeland security secretary Michael Chertoff and EU security chief Franco Frattini.
Mr Reid will tell the gathering on the Island of San Clemente: "Constant political oversight and drive is required."
He will tell colleagues the local and global fights against terror were entwined.
"The British way, which is enshrined in the re-focused Home Office recognises the reality that the struggle for security is both global and local with the two utterly entwined in myriad ways.
"Thus our approach is not uniquely about us or just for us, it could equally work for others, since we share the same strategic context and risk environment."
