AMERICAN SOLIDARITY: US president George Bush said yesterday that the United States and Britain would not be intimidated by "thugs and assassins", as he expressed solidarity with his staunch ally in the war on Iraq in the aftermath of the London bombings.
"The people of Great Britain must understand now how strongly America stands with them during these trying times," Mr Bush said to a packed auditorium in Atlanta, where the audience applauded his comments and gave him a standing ovation.
"Like our country, the citizens of that country will not be intimidated by thugs and assassins," Mr Bush said in the opening to a speech on medicare and social security.
London was rocked by a series of bombs on underground trains and a bus on July 7th which killed more than 50 people. This was followed by more bombs being detected this week.
In the war on terrorism, "we're facing an enemy that has got an ideology based upon hate," Mr Bush said.
"These folks believe in a dark vision of the world where there is no such thing as dissent or religious liberty."
He said the way to protect America was to stay on the offensive and spread the ideology of democracy and freedom that competes with their ideology.
The Bush administration has been emphasising that spreading democracy in the Middle East would help protect Americans at home following the September 11th, 2001, hijacked aircraft attacks.