Trump brands terrorists 'evil losers' as he leads world leaders in condemning Manchester attack
Donald Trump has branded those who take part in terrorist acts as "evil losers" in the wake of a suicide attack at Manchester Arena during an Ariana Grande concert on Monday night.
Speaking during an official visit to Bethlehem the president offered his "deepest condolences" to the victims of the Manchester bombing and pledged the US would work to drive terrorists and extremists "out from our society forever".
He said: "So many young beautiful innocent people living and enjoying their lives murdered by evil losers in life.
"I won’t call them monsters because they would like that term, they would think that’s a great name. I will call them from now on losers, because that’s what they are - they're losers and we'll have more of them but they're losers just remember that."
He added: "This is what I’ve spent these last few days talking about during my trip oversees; Our society can have no tolerance for this continuation of bloodshed we cannot stand a moment longer for the slaughter of innocent people, and in today’s attack it was mostly innocent children.
"The terrorists and extremists and those who give them aid and comfort must be driven out from our society forever this wicked ideology must be obliterated and I mean completely obliterated and the innocent life must be protected - all innocent lives life must protected."
Trump was joined in his condemnation of the Manchester attack by German chancellor Angela Merkel who said she was following the news "with sorrow and horror".
She said:"It is incomprehensible that someone could make use of a joyful pop concert to bring death to so many people or inflict serious injury on them.
"This apparent terrorist attack will only strengthen our determination to keep acting together with our British friends against those who plan and carry out such inhuman deeds."
Newly-elected French president Emmanuel Macron also sent a message of support to the UK, saying: "My thoughts are with the British people, the victims and those close to them. We are fighting together against terrorism."
Australian prime minister Malcom Turnbull told the country's parliament the incident was "especially vile, especially criminal, especially horrific" and a "brutal attack on young people everywhere".
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau tweeted: "Canadians are shocked by the news of the horrific attack in Manchester tonight. Please keep the victims and their families in your thoughts."
While European Commission President Jean Claude Junker paid tribute in letter to the Prime Minister describing events as a "brutal attack".
Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg condemned the "barbaric attack" in Manchester, which deliberately targeted children and their families.
He said: "My thoughts are with all those affected, their loved ones and the people of Manchester and the UK.
"All Nato allies stand united in the fight against terrorism and in defence of our open societies."
Pope Francis expressed his condolences to the victims of "this senseless act of violence".
In a telegram, he said: "His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the injury and tragic loss of life caused by the barbaric attack in Manchester, and he expresses his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this senseless act of violence.
"He commends the generous efforts of the emergency and security personnel, and offers the assurance of his prayers for the injured, and for all who have died. Mindful in a particular way of those children and young people who have lost their lives, and of their grieving families, Pope Francis invokes God's blessings of peace, healing and strength upon the nation."