Quick condemnation of Jordan attacks

U.N. secretary-general delays planned visit to Jordan

A series of blasts sent ambulances screaming across Jordan's capital of Amman on Wednesday.

• Gallery: Aftermath images

• Interactive: Jordan background

• Map: Site of explosions

• Al Qaeda claims rocket attack

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(CNN) -- Wednesday's deadly explosions in Amman, Jordan, drew swift condemnation in Washington and at the United Nations.

Three nearly simultaneous explosions occurred Wednesday night at hotels frequented by westerners in downtown Amman, killing dozens and wounding scores more. (Full story)

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan "strongly condemned" the attacks at the three hotels in the Jordanian capital and has delayed a planned visit to Jordan, U.N. officials said.

"We do not want to be a burden on the Jordanian authorities 12 hours after they've had this massive bombing," said spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

U.N. officials on Thursday are to reassess a possible stop in Jordan, including security for Annan, Dujarric said.

Jordan was a last-minute addition to Annan's current round of visits that began in Paris and took him to Egypt and Saudi Arabia. In addition to the possible Jordan stop, Annan was expected to visit Tunis, Tunisia, before returning to New York.

"During his current tour of the Middle East, the secretary-general has taken every opportunity to underscore the need for collective action against terrorism," a U.N. spokesman said in a statement. "In meetings today and yesterday with Saudi and Egyptian authorities, the secretary-general stressed the need for member states to adopt a comprehensive convention against terrorism as soon as possible."

U.S. President George W. Bush released a statement Wednesday condemning "in the strongest possible terms the vicious terrorist attacks against innocent civilians in Amman, Jordan."

"We hope for the recovery of those wounded in these attacks, and offer our prayers for the victims and their families," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

The State Department issued a statement, saying:

"Such wanton acts of murder against innocent people violate every faith and creed."

"The United States has had no closer ally than Jordan in the war on terror, and Jordan will find no better friend than the United States at this difficult hour."

"Once again we are reminded that the world is in a global war against terror," said U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Michigan, House Intelligence Committee chairman. "It is a war in which the terrorists seemingly know no bounds and place no value on human life."

The blasts occurred at the Radisson, the Days Inn Hotel and the Grand Hyatt Hotel between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. (2 p.m. and 3 p.m. ET). The three hotels are within a few hundred yards of each other.

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