Bush, Obama condemn Mumbai attacks, U.S. offers help

By Matt Spetalnick

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House and President-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday condemned the deadly attacks in Mumbai, India, as the U.S. government convened defense and intelligence officials and offered help to Indian authorities.

"President Bush offers his condolences to the Indian people and the families of the innocent civilians killed and injured in the attacks in Mumbai," the White House said in a statement issued after the U.S. leader left for the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland for the Thanksgiving holiday.

It said the White House National Security Council had convened officials from counterterrorism and intelligence agencies as well as the State Department and Pentagon to discuss the Mumbai attacks.

"The U.S. government continues to monitor the situation, including the safety and security of our citizens, and stands ready to assist and support the Indian government," the White House said.

The State Department said there were no known American casualties in the attacks, in which at least 86 people were killed and 250 wounded, but the White House said it was still "assessing the hostage situation."

Indian television reported that Western hostages were being held in two five-star hotels where gunmen had carried out coordinated strikes.

U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, who takes office on Jan. 20, also condemned the attacks.

"These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism," Brooke Anderson, Obama's spokeswoman on national security, said in a statement.

"The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks.

An aide to Obama said the president-elect, who was at home in Chicago, had spoken to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to get a briefing on the situation and called India's ambassador to the United States to express his condolences.

Rice was closely monitoring the situation, a State Department official said.

"The Secretary will be reaching out to officials at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and at the consulate in Mumbai. She will be reaching out to Indian government officials as well. The situation on the ground is extremely fluid," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The State Department has created a call center for Americans seeking any information on relatives or friends affected by the attacks. The number is 1-888-407-4747.