Home Secretary John Reid has been warned to urgently devise an alternative to the Government's controversial control orders regime by his independent terror watchdog.
Lord Carlile of Berriew QC highlighted the need for an exit strategy from the measures which impose a form of house arrest on terror suspects.
He also indicated that mosque authorities would have "little cause for complaint" if, after failing to comply with police, officers entered their premises to seek someone being given shelter.
Discussing the case of a 26-year-old control order suspect who went on the run after taking refuge in a Manchester mosque last month, Lord Carlile said Muslim religious authorities and other spiritual leaders would have a "clear civic duty" to assist the police.
In his report, the Liberal Democrat peer who acts as the Government's independent reviewer of terror laws said: "There has to be an end of the order at some point, in every case.
"Some of the controlees have already been the subject of their orders for a considerable time.
"Their orders cannot be continued indefinitely - that was never intended and would not be permitted by the courts.
"As a matter of urgency, a strategy is needed for the ending of the orders in relation to each controlee: to fail to prepare for this now whether on a case-by-case basis or by legislation (if appropriate) would be short-sighted."
An application to renew the legislation which set up control orders for another 12 months is due to be debated in the Commons on Thursday.
Currently 18 terror suspects are on control orders.
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