World recoils in horror at Mumbai attacks

World leaders expressed anger and horror Thursday after Islamic militant attacks in Mumbai killed over 125 people and left Western hostages fearing they could be singled out by besieged kidnappers.

As Indian army commandos battled gunmen for a second night in India's financial hub -- arresting three militants including a Pakistani national -- overseas governments made plans to evacuate their nationals.

France, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, said it was sending an aircraft carrying medical and rescue experts to help Europeans caught up in the attacks.

President George W. Bush telephoned Singh to offer help, while US president-elect Barack Obama received intelligence briefings and spoke to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, his aide said.

Obama said the attacks showed the need for the United States to work with other nations to "root out and destroy terrorist networks."

Canadian Prime Minister Harper expressed "deep and profound sympathy and condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and injured by these heinous acts of violence, including many in Canada.

"These attacks targeted people from India and around the world," he said. "They were attacks on values we hold dear, and we share your loss."

Seven hostages were rescued from a residential-commercial complex Thursday night, after special forces cleared one of two luxury hotels targeted, the Taj Mahal Palace, of all but one injured gunman.

India's deputy home secretary said foreigners held captive came from Britain, Canada, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United States and Yemen. The Israelis included a rabbi and his family.

Other westerners said they were cowering in hotel rooms for fear of being rounded up by the attackers. They included seven Italians, one a baby.

Reports from India said 200 people were believed trapped in one hotel.

Guests who escaped the hotels recounted how the gunmen had specifically targeted US and British citizens.

The Indian prime minister made a televised address to the nation appealing for calm "so that the enemies of our country do not succeed in their nefarious designs."

Singh said those behind the attacks were based "outside the country" and warned "neighbours" not to provide a haven to anti-India militants.

A senior Indian military official said the attackers were Pakistani.

But Pakistan, which has also suffered from a surge of militant attacks, denied any involvement.

President Asif Ali Zardari stressed the need for taking strict measures to eradicate terrorism and extremism from the region, the Associated Press of Pakistan said.

Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai said "terrorists are especially challenging South Asia," urging greater regional cooperation.

"Attacking innocent people, tourists and patients in hospitals is despicable and cowardly," said NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the violence was "totally unacceptable."

The European Union expressed "horror and indignation" after European parliament members were caught up in the carnage.

The cricket-mad nation abandoned a one-day series against England while some international airlines cancelled flights to Mumbai.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, visiting Venezuela, said the attacks damaged "the whole world order" and "represent a challenge to humanity."

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sent a telegram to Singh saying Beijing "firmly opposes all forms of terrorism."

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika also offered the Indian people "our absolute solidarity."

Pope Benedict XVI meanwhile urged "an end to all acts of terrorism."

An Australian, a Briton, a German, an Italian and a Japanese businessman were among the confirmed dead, with many foreigners also among some 300 people wounded in attacks claimed by a group calling itself the Deccan Mujahedeen.

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