France condemns cowardly Mumbai attacks

"As the city of Mumbai is again hit by a series of terrorist attacks, the president of the Republic firmly condemns the cowardly and blind violence and wants to express France`s full solidarity with India`s authorities in these painful hours," said a statement issued by President Nicolas Sarkozy`s office yesterday.

"More than ever France is standing by India in its fight against the scourge of terrorism," the statement added. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe earlier described the attacks as "barbaric" and said they evoked "horror and indignation".

"I condemn them in the strongest possible terms," the minister said in a statement.

"France reaffirms its support to India and the Indian people in the fight against terrorism in all its forms."