World leaders joined hands Thursday in denouncing the latest bomb attacks on London and expressing their support of Britain in their fight against terror.

Hours after four small explosions hit London's bus and underground train network Thursday afternoon, leaders from France to Kuwait voiced sympathy with the British people and reaffirmed their commitment to standing united against terrorism. Some countries upgraded their security measures in the wake of the attacks.

The US State Department strongly condemned the bombings which echoed the mass-killings on London's transport system two weeks ago, saying it felt "shock, outrage, horror at yet another senseless and evil act."

"We certainly, I think as you would expect, stand with our British friends and allies in response to this act," deputy spokesman of the department Adam Ereli told a news briefing.

On July 7, four young British Muslims detonated rucksack bombs in three packed trains and a bus during the morning rush hour, killing more than 50 people as well as themselves, and wounding over 700 others. But this Thursday's attacks caused only one injury and no fatalities.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Washington is monitoring the situation closely and President George W. Bush is being kept closely informed about the new bomb attacks.

Security on New York City mass transit system has been tightened again as police began random bag searches on subway and bus riders following the attacks in London. Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman said that security had been increased at the Pentagon as a precautionary response to the situation in London.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Vice President Franco Frattini also condemned the latest wave of attacks on London.

The European Commission expressed solidarity with Britain, saying the incident "seems to be yet another terrorist attack on London, the UK, Europe, and indeed our democracy."

It urged European Union member states to implement anti-terrorism measures to combat a permanent threat to their citizens' safety.

"This second attack unfortunately confirms that terrorism constitutes a permanent threat from which nobody is safe," the EU executive said in a statement.

"We will continue to encourage member states to do everything they can to implement the anti-terrorism measures which were agreed upon at the EU level," it said.

Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen echoed the sentiment, saying the new bombings are a cause for deep concern as they demonstrate that terrorism is posing a chronic threat to the whole of Europe. Vanhanen said Finland strongly condemned such terrorist acts.

French President Jacques Chirac on Thursday also voiced sympathy with Britain during an official visit in the Madagascan capital of Antananarivo.

"I wish to express to the British people and to Prime Minister Tony Blair the solidarity and support of France, and I want to reiterate our determination to fight terrorism together," he said.

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a telegraph to British Prime Minister Tony Blair Thursday, saying Kuwait rejects "such terrorist acts" that target lives of innocent people, as they run contrary to fundamental human values.

The prime minister also reiterated Kuwait's sympathy and support for all of the precautions taken by the British authorities to maintain security and stability in the country.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul of Turkey, whose country has been repeatedly targeted by terrorist attacks, said "we condemn terrorism wherever it strikes and whatever its goals are."

Moroccan King Mohammed VI described the latest attacks as "criminal, cowardly acts that go against the noble religious ideals of peace, tolerance, living together and the sanctity of the right to life."

Prime Minister John Howard of Australia, one of Britain's traditional allies, vowed to stand by Britain in this difficult time.

"The determination of the British people to continue with their daily lives is something that we have always seen as one of the great characteristics of the people of this remarkable country," he told reporters during an official visit to London.

"Terrorism is about the perverted use of an ideology for evil intent and for evil objectives," said Howard, standing beside Blair at Number 10 Downing Street.

Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern condemned the attempt to "strike fear and terror" into the heart of the community.

Ahern said he had no doubt that the British government would actively pursue those who carried out the attacks and bring them to justice.

"Those responsible should know that they will not deter the international community from combating terrorism vigorously and uncompromisingly wherever it occurs."

Czech President Vaclav Klaus called the attacks "barbaric, inhuman and insidious."

"Canadians stand united with the British people and people around the world in denouncing all acts of violence and terrorism, " said Anne McLellan, Canada's deputy prime minister and minister of public safety and emergency preparedness.

Source: Xinhua