The international community on Monday strongly condemned the twin Moscow metro suicide bombings that took place in the morning rush hour and left at least 38 people killed and 64 injured. Gabon's UN Ambassador Issoze-Ngondet, president of the UN Security Council for March, said in a statement on Monday that "the members of the Council wish to condemn in the most energetic terms the terrorist attack that was committed in Moscow today."
"The members of the Council wish to express their determination to fight against all forms of terrorism under the charter of the United Nations," the statement said.
Earlier on Monday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the twin suicide bombings and extended condolences to the families of the victims in a statement issued by his spokesman.
"The secretary-general is confident that the Russian authorities will bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous terrorist attack," the statement said.
Chinese President Hu Jintao strongly condemned the deadly metro blasts and extended condolences in a message to his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on Monday.
Hu also said China supports Russia's efforts in combating terrorism and safeguarding national security and social stability.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned the bombing attacks and urged the international community to strengthen coordinated efforts against terrorism.
"This brutal assault on innocent civilians is another reminder that terrorism is a threat to peace-loving people everywhere and must be met with unwavering resolve," said Clinton in a written statement on Monday.
Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer also denounced the terrorist attacks and expressed condolences to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
"The government of the Czech Republic, its citizens and I personally condemn any sign of violence and terrorism as unacceptable and reprehensible," Fischer said.
Also on Monday, Turkey's Foreign Ministry issued a statement to denounce the attacks and show solidarity with Russia. The statement said Turkey sincerely believed that international solidarity was obligatory in countering terrorism.
Polish President Lech Kaczynski, in a letter to Medvedev, condemned the "barbaric acts" and expressed "solidarity and support for steps aimed at the elimination of terrorism."
Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai also condemned the act of terrorism and extended his sympathy with the victims to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, saying that Hungary was committed to international cooperation to combat terrorism.
In two separate letters to Medvedev and
Putin, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed his deep sadness after the "awful crime" and showed his solidarity with the families of the victims, the state-run news agency Wafa reported.
Twenty-four died in the first blast at 7:56 a.m. local time (0356 GMT) on Monday as a train stood at the central Lubyanka station in Moscow, beneath the offices of Federal Security Service, the Russian intelligence agency.
About 40 minutes later, a second explosion ripped through a train at Park Kultury, leaving another 14 dead.
No one has claimed responsibility, but Russian security officials reportedly said terrorists from the Northern Caucasus could be behind the deadly attacks.