BRUSSELS — Political leaders and others across the globe have condemned the terror attacks in Brussels yesterday which killed at least 31 people at the airport and aboard a metro train.

As reports poured in of casualties at the Zaventem Airport and the Maelbeek metro station near the European Union’s (EU) headquarters, governments from Paris to Tokyo issued messages mixing sympathy for the victims with a determination to stand up to the terrorist threat.

United States President Barack Obama said America would do “whatever is necessary” to support Belgium in bringing those responsible for the attacks to justice, and called on the world to unite against terrorism.

“We must be together regardless of nationality or race or faith in fighting against the scourge of terrorism,” said Mr Obama at the beginning of a speech to the Cuban people in Havana. “The thoughts and the prayers of the American people are with the people in Belgium and we stand in solidarity with them.”

EU Council president Donald Tusk said he was appalled by the attacks and has offered Europe’s support. “These attacks mark another low by the terrorists in the service of hatred and violence,” he added.

French President Francois Hollande called on all Europe to take up the fight against terrorism. “Terrorists struck Brussels but it was Europe that was targeted — and all the world that is concerned,” he said.

In Berlin, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere described the attacks as an assault on Europe itself. “It seems clear that the attack targets — an international airport, a subway station near EU institutions — indicate that this terrorist attack wasn’t just aimed at Belgium, but at our freedom, our freedom of movement,” he said.

Turkey and six Gulf Arab states also spoke out against the attacks, with both Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and the spokesman of President Tayyip Erdogan strongly condemning the bombings, which came three days after a suspected Islamic State member blew himself up in Istanbul, killing five. The attacks “have once again shown terrorism’s global face”, said Mr Davutoglu.

The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Abdullatif al-Zayani, said in a statement the GCC offered its support to Belgium. The bloc comprises Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said he was appalled by the attacks. “These cowardly attacks are a reminder of the need for countries to unite and counter threats posed by extremism. The thoughts and prayers of all Malaysians are with the victims and their families,” he wrote on Facebook.

In Tokyo, Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, said the international community must respond to terrorism and cannot tolerate it.

In extending his condolences, India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, described the attacks as “disturbing” and “condemnable” while the country’s Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, said on Twitter that an Indian woman working for Jet Airways was among the injured in the twin explosions at the airport.

In Cairo, the head of Sunni Islam’s leading seat of learning, Al-Azhar, said the attacks “violate the tolerant teachings of Islam”.

Messages of solidarity poured out on social media, with thousands of people sharing images of beloved Belgian cartoon character Tintin in tears. AGENCIES