US Allies, led by Britain and Germany, backed the missile strikes on Sudan and Afghanistan yesterday but the Russian President, Mr Boris Yeltsin, sided with Muslim states expressing outrage.
A statement from the UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, said he was "concerned over these developments, and awaits further details".
The British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, reportedly informed in advance of the strikes on suspected terrorist-linked sites, voiced his "strong support" for the US.
But an "outraged" Mr Yeltsin denounced them, concurring with the line taken by Russia's lower house of parliament. Mr Yeltsin's spokesman, Mr Sergei Yastr zhemb sky, however, swiftly gave the more conciliatory view that Russian and the US were on the same side in fighting terrorism. The Russian foreign ministry expressed its "deep concern" saying the missile attacks could create a dangerous precedent.
China took a more cautious line, saying the US embassy bombings in Africa, which spurred the retaliatory strikes, should be dealt with "in conformity with the UN charter and the principles of international law" and went on to condemn "all kinds of terrorist activity".
Muslim states generally reacted angrily. Pakistan, where there were widespread street demonstrations in response to the bombings, protested strongly over violation of its airspace during the strikes against Afghanistan. The countries which had been targeted, Afghanistan and Sudan, turned on the US, with Sudan announcing its intention to take the matter before the UN. Iraq warned it was ready to act against "American arrogance" and Iran also condemned the bombings.
Germany, a key NATO partner, backed "all measures to combat the plague" of terrorism "which can only be opposed by consolidated, substantial and determined action by all states", said a statement from the Chancellor, Dr Helmut Kohl.
Japan, the pivotal ally of the US in Asia, gave unequivocal backing. A more guarded reaction came from France which acknowledged, however, that the embassy bombings "could not be left unanswered and those responsible must be put out of action". The Belgian Foreign Minister, Mr Erik Derycke, expressed his country's "solidarity" and "understanding", while his Spanish counterpart, Mr Abel Matutes underlined each country's right to self-defence and counter-attack.
Cautious support came from Austria, currently holding the EU presidency, which sought to put the emphasis on the fight against international terrorism.
Sudan's southern and hostile neighbour, Uganda, expressed its gratitude for the US attacks.
Kenya, where the bombing of the US embassy had prompted the attacks, sought to remain neutral, saying it was not party to the conflict between the US and Sudan.
Press reaction in general tended either to revel in headlines such as "Monica-missiles", as featured in a Turkish newspaper, or to take the moral high ground against Mr Clinton. "Clinton has taken advantage of an immense international tragedy to drown his vulgar private tragi-comedy," said the Italian centre-left Repubblica daily. Several German papers used the "Monicagate" scandal to explain the raids. The popular Express daily warned that "the world's most powerful man is taking a big risk this time" with his "warmongering blackmail".