World leaders react strongly against serial blasts in Mumbai

New Delhi, July 12 (UNI) United States President George W Bush was among the world leaders who condemned the serial blasts in Mumbai in which over 170 people were killed.

''The United States stands with the people and the government of India and condemns in the strongest terms these atrocities, which were committed against innocent people as they went about their daily lives,'' President Bush said in a written statement issued last night.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he was ''appalled by the brutal and callous bombings''. He said such acts confirm that terrorism is one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair in a message late last night, extended support to India in its fight against terrorism, ''in all its forms,'' a spokesman for the British High Commission said.

''I condemn the brutal and shameful attacks. There is no justification for such terrorist attacks. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. Britain stands united with India, the world's largest democracy, through our shared values and shared determination to defeat terrorism in all its forms,'' his statement added.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also condemned the attacks and offered condolences over the loss of life.

''Terrorism is a bane of our times and it must be condemned, rejected and countered effectively and comprehensively,'' their joint statement said.

Pakistan Foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri said it was now time for India and Pakistan to move past confidence-building measures to work towards a solution to the ''Kashmir conflict'', which he said was feeding extremism.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer expressed ''profound sympathy and support for the government and people of India in the face of these cowardly terrorist attacks.'' ''This senseless slaughter of innocent civilians reinforces the continuing importance of strong international resolve to confront the threat posed by terrorism wherever it threatens our communities,'' Mr Downer said in a release.

Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo condemned the ''wanton killing and maiming of innocent people in Mumbai bomb blasts''.

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