The Jakarta Post , Washington | Fri, 07/17/2009 11:48 PM
US President Barack Obama said he “strongly condemned” bomb attacks on two hotels in Jakarta on Friday, which killed at least nine people and injured over 50.

Praising the Indonesian government’s ongoing efforts to fight terrorism, Obama, who spent part of his childhood in Indonesia, said the United States stood ready to help.

“Indonesia has been steadfast in combating violent extremism, and has successfully curbed terrorist activity within its borders,” he said in a statement released by the White House as quoted by The New York Times.

“However, these attacks make it clear that extremists remain committed to murdering innocent men, women and children of any faith in all countries.”