The Queen: "The dreadful events in London this morning have deeply shocked us all. I know I speak for the whole nation in expressing my sympathy to all those affected and the relatives of the killed and injured. I have nothing but admiration for the emergency services as they go about their work."

The G8 leaders: "We condemn utterly these barbaric attacks. We send our profound condolences to the victims and their families.

"All our countries have suffered from the impact of terrorism. Those responsible have no respect for human life. We are united in our resolve to confront and defeat this terrorism, that is not an attack on one nation but on all nations, and on civilised people everywhere.

"We will not allow violence to change our societies or our values, nor will we allow it to stop the work of this summit. We will continue our deliberations in the interests of a better world.

"Here at this summit the world's leaders are striving to combat world poverty, and save and improve human life. The perpetrators of today's attacks are intent on destroying human life.

"The terrorists will not succeed. Today's bombings will not weaken, in any way, our resolve to uphold the most deeply held principles of our societies and to defeat those who would impose their fanaticism and extremism on all of us. We shall prevail and they shall not."

President Bush: "It’s a war on terror for us all. I was most impressed by the resolve of all the leaders in the room. Their resolve is as strong as my resolve, and we will not yield to these people. We will find them, we will bring them to justice and at the same time we will spread an ideology of hope and compassion that will overwhelm their ideology of hate."

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London: "I wish to speak directly to those who came to London today to take life. I know that you personally do not fear giving up your own life in order to take others - that is why you are so dangerous. But I know you fear that you may fail in your long-term objective to destroy our free society. Whatever you do, however many you kill, you will fail."

Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury: "The appalling events in London this morning have shocked us all. I want first and foremost to extend my personal sympathy and condolences to everyone who is suffering and grieving at this time.

"All those caught up in this tragedy and that includes of course the emergency services whose selfless dedication and commitment is so vital at times like this. All are in my prayers and in the prayers of a great many people"

Pope Benedict XVI (in a message to Cormac Murphy O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster): "Deeply saddened by the news of the terrorist attacks in central London, the Holy Father offers fervent prayers for the victims and for all those who mourn.

"While he deplores these barbaric acts against humanity he asks you to convey to the families of the injured his spiritual closeness at this time of grief. Upon the people of Great Britain he invokes the consolation that only God can give in such circumstances."

Gerhard Schroeder, the German Chancellor : "The coordinated action, carried out in a way that was as cowardly as it was perfidious, clearly was also aimed at the summit taking place at the same time in Gleneagles."

Dominique de Villepin, the French Prime Minister: "Faced with these odious acts, I want to express my deepest solidarity, my friendship and my support to all British people, particularly the inhabitants of London," ,

Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the Prime Minister of Spain: "The terrorists will never make us lose our principles and our values. The moral force of democracy was far superior to the cowardly nature of terrorism. Terrorism will never defeat the law and democracy."

Michael Howard, leader of the Conservative Party: "What is important today is to make it absolutely clear that this country is united as one in our determination to defeat terrorism and to deal with those who are responsible for the dreadful acts that have taken place in London."

David Davis, Shadow Home Secretary : "This morning’s explosions were acts of almost unspeakable depravity and wickedness - planned with the deliberate intention of taking innocent life."

Ronald Noble, Interpol Secretary General : "An attack in one country is an attack on all, and the emergency and police response must be international."

Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks: "It is not the weapon of the weak against the strong but the rage of the angry against the defenceless and innocent. It is an evil means to an evil end."

Ahmed Versi, editor of The Muslim News: "We express our deep condolences to the families, relatives and friends of the victims."

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