Friday, July 22 2005 10:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Paris: Leaders from Morocco to Australia lashed out yesterday (July 21, 2005), at the bombers behind the latest attacks on London, vowing to unite against terrorism and praising Londoners' grit in the face of fear.

Tetchy relations with France were put to one side, traditional allies such as Australia, Canada and Ireland rallied behind Londoners and the European Commission vowed to press for anti-terrorism measures across the bloc.

"This second attack, unfortunately, confirms that terrorism constitutes a permanent threat from which nobody is safe," the European Commission said in a statement.

It is also vital to focus on measures, which aim at preventing terrorism and particularly preventing young people from becoming radicalised.

"The European Union had a strategy to fight terrorism," it said. "We need to implement this without any delay."

The United States expressed shock, outrage and horror at yet another senseless and evil act.

"We certainly stand with our British friends and allies in response to this act, as we have in response to the many challenges we face together brought by those who seek to undermine our commonly held values and common way of life," said State Department Spokesman Adam Ereli.

French President Jacques Chirac, who had swept aside Franco-British squabbles over the future of the European Union, to support Blair after the deadly July 7 attacks on London, reiterated France's solidarity with Britain.

"I wish to express to the British people and to Prime Minister Tony Blair, the solidarity and support of France, and I want to reiterate our determination to fight terrorism together," he said during an official visit in the Madagascan Capital Antananarivo.

King Mohammed VI of Morocco, whose country was hit by deadly urban bomb blasts two years ago, said the latest attacks were criminal, cowardly acts that go against the noble religious ideals of peace, tolerance, living together and the sanctity of the right to life.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul of Turkey, whose country has also been targeted in bomb attacks said, "We condemn terrorism wherever it strikes and whatever its goals are."

And Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, who was lunching with British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, during an official visit to London, when the news broke, said his country would stand steadfast with Britain.

"The determination of the British people to continue with their daily lives is something that we have always seen as one of the great characteristics of the people of this remarkable country," he told reporters, standing beside Blair, in number 10 Downing Street.

"Terrorism is about the perverted use of an ideology for evil intent and for evil objectives," said Howard, a close British ally in the Iraq war.

"Canadians stand united with the British people and people around the world in denouncing all acts of violence and terrorism," said Anne McClellan, Canada's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

McClellan said she was disturbed to hear of a second incident involving London's transit system, so closely following the tragic events of two weeks ago.

"Our thoughts continue to be with Londoners during this difficult time," she said.