The deadly hostage-taking in Russia has reinforced the resolve of the United States not to give in to terrorists, US President George W. Bush said Saturday during a campaign rally in Ohio, US media reported.

"Yesterday was a grim reminder of the nature of the terrorists we face. That is why this country must be diligent and strong and never yielding. We must bring them to justice," Bush said.

Bush expressed condolences to the families of those killed or injured in the hostage-taking in a school in North Ossetia.

Bush on Friday condemned the terrorist act.

"This is yet another grim reminder of the length to which terrorists will go to threaten this civilized world. We mourn the innocent lives that have been lost, we stand with the people of Russia, we send them our prayers for this terrible situation," Bush said.

Russian special forces on Friday stormed the school in Russia's North Ossetia republic where the hostages were held and some 155 children were among the more than 340 people killed in the tragedy.

Reports said more than 1,000 people, a majority of them being schoolchildren, were taken hostage after a group of armed men seized a school in North Ossetia's Beslan region on Wednesday morning.