European Union foreign and security policy chief Javier Solana has "strongly condemned" the terrorist suicide bomb attacks on two US-linked hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia on July 17 2009.
 
"I am deeply shocked that Indonesia is, yet again, a victim of terrorism. I strongly condemn this morning's bomb attacks in Jakarta that have claimed innocent lives and injured many more," Solana said.
 
"This was also an attack on Indonesia and the Indonesian people's attachment to democracy," he said.
 
The EU stood with the people and government of Indonesia as they work "to bring those responsible for this cowardly act of terror to justice," Solana said.
 
"Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, and we wish a speedy recovery to those injured."

At least eight people died and more than 40 were injured when the two hotels, the Ritz-Carlton and the Marriott, were bombed.

Indonesia's Antara news agency said the Ritz-Carlton was scheduled to receive players from Britain's Manchester United soccer club, who were to arrive on July 18 in Jakarta. Media reports said that Manchester United had cancelled the Jakarta stop on its tour.

US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said that the attacks were "senseless" and that the threat of terrorism remained "very real", the BBC said.
 
CNN said that Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the attacks were the work of "terrorists" but it was unclear which group was to blame.

"This terrorist action is thought to be the work of a terrorist group, even though it is not certain whether this is the terrorism which we are familiar with up until now," the recently re-elected president said.