(dpa) – World leaders are expressing horror and shock at the terrorist attacks Tuesday against the United States in New York and Washington.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair says the attacks by what he calls “fanatics” are shocking and he says the world’s democracies must unite to fight terrorism.
French President Jacques Chirac says the people of France are entirely at the sides of the American people.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has conveyed his deepest condolences to the American people, condemning the attacks. Russia’s Interfax news agency reports that the Russian aviation authority has cancelled all plane departures to the United States from Russia.
Meanwhile, security is being tightened around U.S. facilities in Europe.
In Africa, former South African president Nelson Mandela says he is stunned by the attacks and that it is unacceptable that innocent people are being killed. Kenyan President Daniel Moi also expressed shock and sadness.
Mexican President Vicente Fox has expressed his solidarity with the victims of the bombing.
In the Middle East, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat condemned the attacks and sent his condolences to President Bush.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has called a meeting of the federal security council after the wave of terrorist attacks. The council will meet in Berlin to discuss the response of German authorities to the attack.
Separately, all flights to the United States from France and Germany have been halted.
