UN chief condemns Indonesia bombings

New York, NU Online
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Friday strongly condemned the bombings in the Indonesian capital Jakarta in which nine people were killed and scores of others injured.

Ban expressed confidence that the Indonesian government will promptly investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice with the same resolve demonstrated in previous acts of terrorism in Indonesia.<>

Ban extended his condolences to the families of the victims and expressed his solidarity with the government and people of Indonesia.

While, as reported by AFP, US President Barack Obama on Friday also firmly condemned bombings in Jakarta that killed at least nine people and injured dozens more, including eight Americans.

"I strongly condemn the attacks that occurred this morning in Jakarta, and extend my deepest condolences to all of the victims and their loved ones," Obama said in a statement.

"The US government stands ready to help the Indonesian government respond to and recover from these outrageous attacks as a friend and partner."

State Department spokesperson Robert Wood said eight of the estimated 40 injured in the blasts were US citizens.

Obama, who spent part of his childhood in Indonesia, praised the country's steadfastness "in combating violent extremism."

"We will continue to partner with Indonesia to eliminate the threat from these violent extremists, and we will be unwavering in supporting a future of security and opportunity for the Indonesian people," he said.

Earlier US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said her department was working "to help American citizens injured in the blasts."

"The attacks reflect the viciousness of violent extremists, and remind us that the threat of terrorism remains very real," Clinton said, offering her sympathies to the victims and the Indonesian people.

"We have no higher priority than confronting this threat along with other countries that share our commitment to a more peaceful and prosperous future." (dar)