US, UNSC, France, Australia condemn Mumbai attacks

MUMBAI: Indian medical staff attends to injured patients in a ward of The JT Hospital here Wednesday after a series of bomb blasts. -AFP Photo WASHINGTON, July 14 (AFP): The United States, France, United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Australia condemned Wednesday's multiple bomb attacks in Mumbai. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called them "despicable" and vowed to visit India next week as planned.

US President Barack Obama also issued a written statement condemning the deadliest attack on India's commercial capital since the traumatic 2008 assault by Islamist militants.

"I strongly condemn the outrageous attacks in Mumbai and my thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and those who have lost loved ones," Obama said.

Clinton said the attacks, which left at least 21 people dead and more than 140 injured, had been "designed to provoke fear and division" and said: "Those who perpetrated them must know they cannot succeed.

"I will be traveling to India next week as planned," she said. "I believe it is more important than ever that we stand with India, deepen our partnership, and reaffirm our commitment to the shared struggle against terrorism."

The UN Security Council Wednesday "condemned in the strongest terms" the bombings in the Indian city of Mumbai, noting that terrorism is one of the biggest threats to international peace. The Council "reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security," said a statement read by Peter Wittig, Germany's ambassador to the UN and current Council president.

Australia Thursday strongly condemned a string of bombings that left 21 people dead in India's commercial capital, saying such "wanton acts of terrorism" have no place in the civilised world.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd both slammed the three bombings that wounded more than 100 people in Mumbai and said Australia stood by India as it grapples with the aftermath of the rampage.

"I condemn the deadly terrorist attacks overnight in Mumbai," Gillard said.

France Wednesday condemned the "cowardly and blind" attacks in Mumbai while reaffirming its support for India in the fight against terrorism.

"As the city of Mumbai is again hit by a series of terrorist attacks, the president of the Republic firmly condemns the cowardly and blind violence and wants to express France's full solidarity with India's authorities in these painful hours," said a statement issued by President Nicolas Sarkozy's office.

"More than ever France is standing by India in its fight against the scourge of terrorism," the statement added.

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