Bush: Bombers defile Islam

2005-11-10 20:56

Washington - President George W Bush on Thursday condemned the hotel bombings in Jordan, saying the attackers defiled Islam and the United States would help bring those responsible to justice.

Bush said: "The killings should remind all of us that there is an enemy in this world that is willing to kill innocent people, willing to bomb a wedding celebration in order to advance their cause."

He was speaking during a meeting with President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen, a Middle East ally in the war on terror.

Bush said: "For those of us who love freedom and for those of us who respect every human life, no matter whether you're from the West or from your neighbourhood, Mr President, we have an obligation and a duty to remain strong and to remain firm and to bring these people to justice."

Al-Qaeda's hit list

In an internet statement, al-Qaeda in Iraq linked the blasts at the Grand Hyatt, the Radisson SAS and the Days Inn hotels to the war in Iraq and called Amman the "backyard garden" for US operations.

The hotels, frequented by Israelis and Americans among other foreign guests, had long been on al-Qaeda's hit list.

Bush said: "Today the world saw with horror the attacks on innocent people in Jordan by killers who defile a great religion."

A US embassy official said at least one American was among the 56 people killed in the Amman hotel bombings.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with embassy rules, said Wednesday's triple bombings also wounded at least two Americans.

Americans taken to hospital

The official said the victim's name and hometown were being withheld until the family was notified.

The state department said two Americans were taken to hospital, one of them seriously injured.

President Bush also called King Abdullah 2 on Thursday to express the US' condolences for the injuries and loss of life in the nearly simultaneous suicide attacks that also wounded more than 115 people.

Bush told Abdullah that he strongly supported his leadership and that the US would stand with Jordan.

Scott McClellan of the White House said: "Both leaders agreed that it's important to reiterate to the world that the terrorists can't shake our will and our determination to defeat their hateful, murderous ideology."

- AP