Blair ‘terribly shocked’ by terrorist attacks

British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair today said he was "terribly shocked" by a spate of apparent terrorist attacks in the United States.

Hundreds are feared dead after two hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Centre shortly before 2 p.m. this afternoon causing them to collapse. A third plane has also crashed into the Pentagon in Washington DC. A car bomb has exploded outside the State Department in Washington.

We the democracies of the world will have to come together to eradicate this evil British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair

The Palestinian President Mr Yasser Arafat condemned the attacks which levelled the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and struck the Pentagon in Washington.

Mr Blair said: "We the democracies of the world will have to come together to eradicate this evil." Mr Blair has cancelled his planned speech to the TUC.

Russian President Mr Vladimir Putin conveyed his deep condolences to the American people today, condemning the "terrorist acts" in New York and Washington.

French President Mr Jacques Chirac has cut short a visit to Brittany following the attack on the twin towers in New York's landmark World Trade Center, saying it was essential he return to Paris.

Irish Timesjournalist Mr Conor O'Clery said from New York two planes crashed into the towers of the World Trade Centre within 18 minutes of each other.

"A plane hit one tower and then a plane hit the second tower. I heard rumours that another plane was coming. What I saw was huge chunks of debris falling from the tower onto the street crashing into the fire engines and rescue services below".

Mr O’Clery said: "The White House has been evacuated and the Pentagon has also been evacuated and so has the State Department".

Both towers have now collapsed. It is not yet clear if the aircraft had any passengers on board. One of the planes is reported to have been hijacked from Boston. A third plane has crashed near the Pentagon. Unconfirmed reports suggest that a fourth plane is reported to be on the way to Washington. All aircraft at US airports have now been grounded.

In the immediate aftermath of the crash the price of oil has gone up to $30.