Hume describes terrorist attacks as 'tragedy'

SDLP leader Mr John Hume described the attacks on targets in America as a "tragedy for all humanity".

Those who carried out this appalling atrocity are the enemies of humanity. SDLP leader Mr John Hume

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate said: "Those who carried out this appalling atrocity are the enemies of humanity.

"I offer my heartfelt sympathy to President Bush, to the families of those who have lost their lives on this terrible day and to the people of the United States of America. Our hopes and prayers are with them".

Democratic Unionist Party leader the Rev Ian Paisley urged the US and British governments to ensure those responsible had "no hiding place".

He said: "America must now stand up to those who perpetrated this attack and we call upon the UK Government to throw its full weight behind every US effort to ensure that the terrorists responsible are brought to justice."

We call upon the UK Government to throw its full weight behind every US effort to ensure that the terrorists responsible are brought to justice. Rev Ian Paisley

Leader of the Alliance Party Mr Sean Neeson said the attacks dwarfed any atrocities Northern Ireland had endured during its troubles.

Expressing his deepest sympathy, he said: "We have seen many terrorist attacks and killings but never on such an unimaginable scale".