José María Aznar, Spanish Prime Minister: The victims were killed "simply for being Spanish . . . The criminals who have caused so many deaths today will be arrested . . . We will succeed in finishing off the terrorist band (ETA)".
Kofi Annan UN Secretary-General:
"It is indeed with profound shock and indignation that I learned about the terrorist attack in Madrid today. Once again we see senseless killing of innocent people . . . Killing of innocent people can not be justified regardless of the cause"
George W. Bush, US President
"We stand strong with the people of Spain . . . The United States stands with them. Today we ask God's blessings on those who suffer in the great country of Spain"
Vladimir Putin, Russian President
"Terrorism has once again shown it is prepared deliberately to stop at nothing in creating human victims . . . An end must be put to this. As never before, it is vital to unite forces of the entire world community against terror"
Pope John Paul
"The pope wishes to reiterate his firm and absolute abhorrence of such unjustifiable acts that offend God and violate the fundamental right to life"
Jacques Chirac, French President
"Nothing ever justifies barbarity. All democracies should, and will be, united to combat it without pause"
Pat Cox, President of European Parliament
"There is a general election due in Spain on Sunday. What happened today is a declaration of war on democracy. Let Sunday show that Spanish democracy is determined to overcome terrorism"
Tony Blair, British Prime Minister
"This terrible attack underlines the threat that we all continue to face from terrorism in many countries and why we all must work together internationally to safeguard our peoples against such attacks and defeat terrorism"
Gerhard Schröder, German Chancellor
"I was saddened and outraged by the news of the terrible attacks in Madrid this morning. I am horrified at the large number of dead and injured"
Romano Prodi, European Commission President
"This is not a political act, it is a criminal act against defenceless people, a perverse action of terrorists"
Bertie Ahern, Taoiseach
"The timing of the bombings was clearly designed to wreak the greatest level of havoc and carnage. They are an attack on the democratic process and cannot be justified."
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary-General
"Our solidarity with Spain remains steadfast, as is our alliance's determination to vigorously pursue our efforts to combat terrorism"