Scott McLennan, White House spokesman: “There is no justification for the taking of innocent life, and the barbaric nature of this terrorist act is despicable

“The United States stands side-by-side with Russia in our global fight against terrorism.”

Hugh McManners, security expert and a former member of the SAS:

"What the Russian government desperately wanted was for this to be is a controlled operation, a controlled siege with a controlled ending to it. This is anything but that. I think politically this is an absolute disaster area for them.

"As to what the death toll is going to be at the end, I think it's probably going to be rather alarming. I'm sorry to sound pessimistic."

Valery Andreyev, the regional head of Russia's FSB security service:

"I cannot say the exact numbers of how many have been saved. It is too early to jump to conclusions.

"I want to point out that no military action was planned. We were planning further talks."

Silvio Berusconi, the Italian Prime Minister:

"We're all holding our breath: lots of children are now in hospital and we'll see what happens. But clearly the fathers and mothers of the world have breathed a sigh of relief. These are astonishing times, the level of insecurity is very high."

Tim Ripley, defence and terrorism analyst at the University of Lancaster:

"The universal reaction from foreign powers will be to back the Russians. We owe them favours in the war on terror, and no one owes the same to Islamic fundamentalists."

"It was a spate of these attacks that made Yeltsin back off in the late 1990s, and they [the Chechens] will hope the same happens here."

Wilf Owen, security and defence analyst:

"This has basically degenerated into a Wild West gunfight, with cars screaming around and civilians everywhere. It's not the product of a coordinated military operation."

Elmar Thevessen, terrorism expert:

"The bad thing is that, if the number of those killed is considerable, then the terrorists and their supporters at home will view it as a great triumph.

"This will be rated in terror circles as a great success. They succeeded in scaring the country and the whole world with this next escalation step by actually taking children hostage."

Itay Gil, Israeli counter terrorist unit veteran:

"It's very easy to criticise. Once you are dealing with suicide attackers it is the most difficult to take on. Observing from my point of view [the aim] is to save as many lives as possible."

Anjem Choudary, leader of the UK branch of Al Muhajiroun:

"When the Russians attack Muslims in Chechnya they do not discriminate between men, women and children. Muslims have a right to retaliate and protect their lives and their homes.

"In any case, most of the people in the school are teachers and parents - adults. Some children happened to be there because it is a school, but they are not being deliberately targeted.

Explore World News

• World Agenda

• Iraq News

• US & Americas News

• Europe News

• Middle East News

• Afghanistan News

• Asia News

• Africa News

• Ireland News

Times Recommends

• Please help: maimed children of war want their lives back
• Cabal seizes diamond riches to buy power
• White House gatecrashers got to the president