Americas

Americas

Obama denounces attack on Israelis in Bulgaria

19 July 2012 03:15 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday denounced what he called a "barbaric terrorist attack" on Israelis in Bulgaria, reaffirming unshakable U.S. commitment to Israel’s security, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"I strongly condemn today’s barbaric terrorist attack on Israelis in Bulgaria," the president said in a statement. "These attacks against innocent civilians, including children, are completely outrageous."

Six Israelis were killed and more than 30 others injured earlier in the day, when a powerful blast ripped through a bus with Israeli tourists onboard at the Burgas airport in Bulgaria.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of being behind the attack, warning that Israel will make a "strong response against Iranian terror." Tehran so far hasn’t responded to the accusation.

"The United States will stand with our allies, and provide whatever assistance is necessary to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of this attack," Obama said.

"As Israel has tragically once more been a target of terrorism, the United States reaffirms our unshakable commitment to Israel’s security, and our deep friendship and solidarity with the Israeli people," he added.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also condemned "this heinous terrorist attack" against innocent civilians.