NICE, France  — World leaders are expressing dismay, sadness and solidarity with France over the attack carried out by a man who drove truck into crowds of people celebrating France’s national day in Nice, killing at least 84 people:

 

United States

President Barack Obama condemned what “appears to be a horrific terrorist attack” in Nice.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and other loved ones of those killed,” he said.

Noting that the attack occurred on Bastille Day, the French national holiday, Obama praised “the extraordinary resilience and democratic values that have made France an inspiration to the entire world.”

Secretary of State John Kerry called it a “horrendous attack in Nice. … I was proud to stand alongside French leaders earlier today at Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, and the United States will continue to stand firmly with the French people during this time of tragedy.”

Both presidential candidates also condemned the attacks, with Republican Donald Trump declaring “this is war” and Democrat Hillary Clinton vowing “we will not be intimidated.

Clinton said “every American stands in strong solidarity with the people of France, and we say with one voice: We will not be intimidated. We will never allow terrorists to undermine the egalitarian and democratic values that underpin our very way of life.”

Trump, who postponed plans to announce his vice presidential pick because of the attack, said “this is war. If you look at it, this is war coming from all different parts.”

 

Britain

British Prime Minister Theresa May is calling for nations to “redouble” efforts to defeat violent extremists following the attack in Nice. She called the attack “horrifying” and said Britain will stand with France in its time of mourning.

“We must redouble our efforts to defeat these brutal murderers who want to destroy our way of life,” the new prime minister said Friday.

 

Germany

Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged solidarity with France in the aftermath of the attack, saying “Germany stands at France’s side in the fight against terrorism.”

Speaking on the sidelines of a summit in Mongolia, Merkel added: “I am completely convinced that we will win this fight despite all difficulties.”

On a state visit to Uruguay, German President Joachim Gauck said Friday that “the 14th of July, the day when France celebrates its national day, represents the values of the French Revolution, which are our values as well.”

“An attack on France, therefore, is an attack on the entire free world,” he said.

Germany’s Foreign Ministry flew the French flag in solidarity with its neighbor, and flags on all public buildings were ordered flown at half-staff.

 

Italy

Italian Premier Matteo Renzi says a response to the Nice attacks is a “moral duty” and is vowing not to leave Italy’s neighbor alone. In a Facebook post, Renzi said the pain of the attacks was made worse because so many children were killed and maimed on France’s national holiday.

He wrote: “We’re used to seeing postcards from Nice full of beauty, not images of death with a doll near a destroyed stroller. Reacting is a moral duty.”

 

European Union

European Council president Donald Tusk expressed consternation that France was attacked on its national day and said the world stands united with the French people.

“It is a tragic paradox that the victims of the attack people celebrating liberty, quality and fraternity. We will stand united with the families of victims, the French people and the government in the fight against violence and hatred,” Tusk said.

The EU lowered its flags to half-staff outside its headquarters Friday and the EU Commission’s daily media briefing observed a moment of silence.

 

NATO

NATO’s chief said he was “appalled and saddened” by the attack in Nice and that alliance’s other member nations “stand in strong solidarity with the people of France.”

“This attack targeted innocent people and the core values for which NATO stands,” alliance Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said. “But terrorism will never defeat democracy, freedom and our open societies.”