US President Barack Obama has termed the terrorist attack in the French resort of Nice that killed over 80 people as "tragic and appalling" on freedom and has promised that America will stand firm to "destroy" all terror outfits, including the "vile" Islamic State.
"We come here with heavier hearts than normal. Overnight in Nice, we witnessed another tragic and appalling attack on the freedom and the peace that we cherish," Obama said at a diplomatic corps reception at the White House yesterday.
"Today, our hearts are with the people of France and with all the innocent men, women and so many children who were hurt or killed in this sickening attack," he said.
Obama said the victims included an American family from Texas - a father and his 11-year-old son - who were there on vacation.
"Their family, like so many others, are devastated. They're grieving. They need all the love and support of our American family as they grapple with an unimaginable loss, and try to get through what are going to be very difficult days," he said.
Obama said the terror attacks are a threat to all.
"We don't know all the details, but what we know is the capacity of even a single individual to do extraordinary harm to our people, to our way of life," he said.
Obama said that in recent weeks there had been heinous attacks inspired or directed by the ISIS in the US, Turkey, Iraq, Bangladesh and in Saudi Arabia.
"We are going to keep taking out ISIL leaders and pushing ISIL back in Syria and Iraq. We're going to keep standing with our partners, from Africa to Afghanistan. We are going to destroy this vile terrorist organisation," he said.
"These terrorists are targeting and killing innocent people of all backgrounds and all faiths, including Muslims. And I know I speak for all of us when I say that these individuals and these networks are an affront to all of our humanity," he said.
Obama exuded confidence of winning this war against terrorism.
"I want to take this opportunity to say once more: We will not be deterred. We will not relent. We're going to keep working together to prevent attacks and defend our homeland," Obama said.
"In contrast to these terrorists who only know how to kill
and destroy, we're going to win this fight by building; by never giving up on diplomacy to end the Syrian civil war; by working with partners around the world, including Muslim communities, to push back against hateful ideologies that twist and distort Islam - a religion that teaches peace and justice and compassion," Obama asserted.
"We will defeat these ideologies by offering a better vision of development and economic progress, so people, especially young people, have more hope and opportunity and are less susceptible to extremism and violence in the first place. And we will continue to promote political opportunity and democracy so citizens have a say in their future," he said.
At least 84 people were killed and dozens of others injured when a Tunisian-born man ploughed a truck through a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in Nice.
