The United States on Saturday strongly condemned a series of deadly car bombings in Egypt, saying it will stand firmly with the people of Egypt.

"The United States stands ready to assist the government of Egypt in helping the victims and bringing the perpetrators of these acts to justice," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said in a statement.

US President George W. Bush spoke with Egyptian President HosniMubarak on Saturday morning to offer his personal condolences and the support of the American people.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is visiting Ramallah, West Bank, also denounced the attacks in Egypt.

A string of suspected car bombs struck Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sham el-Sheik early Saturday, killing at least 49 people in thedeadliest attack in Egypt in nearly a decade.

Source: Xinhua