Armed civilians in Lebanon greeted the news of the attacks on American targets with jubilant gunfire, dancing and cheering.
"This is the result of American policy. America and Israel are one," one gunman said.
"This is the language that the United States understands and this is the way to stop America from helping the Zionist terrorists who are killing our children, men and women every day," said Mr Mohamed Rasheed.
But Palestinian President Yasser Arafat condemned the attacks.
"I send my condolences, the condolences of the Palestinian people to American President Bush and his government and to the American people for this terrible act," Mr Arafat said.
Asked if he was willing to help track down the attackers, Arafat replied: "No doubt, if they ask me...I am ready to accept".
An anonymous caller told Abu Dhabi television earlier that the radical Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) was responsible for the attacks, but a senior official of the group later denied any involvement.