US president says ‘evil losers’ must be ‘completely obliterated’

US president Donald Trump told Prime Minister Theresa May that “Americans stand with the people of the United Kingdom” in a phone call, during which he also offered US assistance on the investigation into the attack.

The call came shortly after Mr Trump denounced those responsible for the atrocity as “evil losers” and called for the ideology behind the outrage to be “completely obliterated”.

Pope Francis expressed his condolences to the victims of the bombing in a telegram, which said: “His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the injury and tragic loss of life caused by the barbaric attack in Manchester, and he expresses his 0 Donald Trump offered assistance to Theresa May heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this senseless act of violence.

German chancellor Angela Merkel said: “It is incomprehensible that anybody could use a carefree pop concert to kill and maim so many people.

“This suspected terrorist attack will only strengthen our resolve to continue to take joint action with our British friends against those who plan and carry out inhuman acts like this.”

She said her message to the people of the UK was that “Germany stands shoulder to shoulder with you.”

Frenchpresidentemmanuel Macron spoke by phone with Mrs May and visited the UK embassy in Paris to sign a book of condolence.

Russian president Vladimir Putin said: “We strongly condemn this cynical and heinous crime. We expect that its masterminds will not be able to avoid the punishment they deserve.”

Former US president Barack Obama said: “Our hearts go out to those killed and wounded in Manchester. Americans will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of the UK.”