BERLIN, July 7: Leaders from around the world expressed shock and anger over the deadly blasts in the heart of London and voiced determination to crush the terrorist threat. The Group of Eight most industrialized nations declared at their summit in Gleneagles, Scotland that the bombings were attacks on the civilized world and said they would stand together to defeat militants.

“We condemn utterly these barbaric attacks,” the G8 said in a statement read by the visibly shaken summit host, British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

“We are united in our resolve to confront and defeat this terrorism. This is not an attack on one nation, but on all nations and on civilized people everywhere,” Mr Blair said, flanked by the leaders of G8 nations as well as those of guest countries Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa.

US President George Bush vowed in a separate statement to reporters in Gleneagles that the war on terrorism would continue until “an ideology of hate” had been overcome. “They have such evil in their heart that they will take the lives of innocent folks. The war on terrorism is on,” Bush said.

As condolences poured in from around the globe, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the alliance would not waver in its struggle against violent extremists.

“I condemn in the strongest terms these attacks, which underline the need for the international community and members of the alliance to remain united in the fight against terrorism,” he said.

The UN Security Council unanimously passed a resolution condemning the bombings, saying it regarded any act of terrorism as “a threat to peace and security” as Secretary General Kofi Annan expressed solidarity with Britain.

“Today, the world stands shoulder to shoulder with the British people, who with others around the world had mobilized so powerfully against poverty and climate change ahead of the Group of Eight summit, and who, I am sure, will confront this ordeal with the same spirit, courage and determination,” he added.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said the explosions that hit London proved that terrorism was an global plague that could strike anywhere.

“What is happening in Iraq can happen in any country,” Talabani said.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that nations “must never bow to terrorists”.

And Australian Prime Minister John Howard, whose country also has troops in Iraq, said such attacks would not alter “the determination of free countries to do the right thing”.

French President Jacques Chirac, who has frequently clashed with Blair of late over EU disputes, pledged his country’s “total solidarity”.

And German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who had also recently sparred with the British leader, threw his weight behind Blair.

“We agree that the international community must do everything in its power to fight terrorism together with all the means at its disposal,” he said.

European Union commission head Jose Manuel Barroso called the blasts an “attack on democracy” and the “fundamental freedoms” that are at the heart of the 25-nation bloc.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the horrifying images from London exposed rifts in the global war on terror and urged an end to what he called “double standards” on security.

China said random violence against civilians was never justified, while Japan, which was hit by subway attacks a decade ago, offered its full support to Britain as Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi expressed his “furious anger”.

Pope Benedict XVI sent a message of outrage and mourning.

“Deeply saddened by the news of the terrorist attacks in central London, the Holy Father offers fervent prayers for the victims and for all those who mourn,” said a telegram by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano.

The fatal explosions came as the British capital was still enjoying the afterglow of winning its bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Speaking in Singapore, where the Olympic announcement was made Wednesday, London mayor Ken Livingstone said terrorists could not destroy the city’s principles.—AFP