US President Donald Trump today denounced as "horrible and cowardly" the terrorist attack on "innocent and defenceless worshippers" in Egypt and said the world must discredit the extremist ideology.
At least 235 worshippers were killed and 109 others injured when heavily-armed militants bombed a mosque and opened fire on people attending Friday prayers in Egypt's restive North Sinai region, in the deadliest terror attack in the country.
"Horrible and cowardly terrorist attack on innocent and defenceless worshippers in Egypt," Trump said in a tweet.
"The world cannot tolerate terrorism, we must defeat them militarily and discredit the extremist ideology that forms the basis of their existence!" said the US president as world leaders strongly condemned the terrorist attack.
White House also condemned the "horrific terrorist attack.
"There can be no tolerance for barbaric groups that claim to act in the name of a faith but attack houses of worship and murder the innocent and defenceless while at prayer," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.
The international community must continue to strengthen its efforts to defeat terrorist groups that threaten the US and its partners and they must collectively discredit the extremist ideology that forms the basis of their existence, Sanders said.
State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert termed the attack as an "unconscionable act of evil".
"We will continue to stand with Egypt and the Egyptian people as they face the scourge of terrorism," Nauert said.
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