Thousands are believed to have died in New York

England have

The President of the United States has described the destruction caused in New York and Washington as an act of war against all freedom-loving people.

In a statement broadcast at 1053 local time (1553 BST), George Bush vowed the US would use all its resources to avenge the worst-ever attacks on American soil.

But he warned an angry and wounded nation they would have to be patient and said any action could be a monumental struggle.

The president has also been seeking the backing of world leaders for an international campaign against terrorism.

As the estimated number of dead rose into the thousands the day after the tragedy, members of the US government began talking openly of war.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell said: "It isn't going to be solved with a single counter-attack against one individual, it's going to be a long term conflict."

Expressions of support have come quickly from American allies, and also from countries not known for their sympathy with the US - the leaders of Libya and Palestine both condemned the attacks in the strongest terms.

Only Iraq has endorsed the atrocity, saying the attacks were a "lesson for all tyrants and oppressors" and the fruit of American crimes.

Tony Blair offered the unequivocal backing of the UK, echoing President Bush's words in his press conference announcing the recall of Parliament.

"I don't think there is any doubt at all that this threat is aimed at the whole democratic world," the prime minister told reporters.

"The US has been singled out... But these terrorists will regard us all as targets."  

View of the moon - Lunik II is supposed to hit close to the Sea of Tranquillity

Latest reports say the rocket, Lunik II, is on course to reach its destination at 2201BST tomorrow.

This is the second rocket launched by Russia towards the moon. The first was on 2 January. It missed its target and continued out into space.

A multistage rocket was used for the launch, which had to achieve a speed of seven miles per second (11.3km) to escape the earth's gravitational pull.

Lunik II is carrying equipment to measure, among other things, the magnetic fields of the earth and the moon and the belts of radiation surrounding the earth.

The craft's journey was briefly visible from earth at 1940 BST this evening when it emitted a bright yellow sodium cloud intended to look like an artificial comet.

Although skies were overcast in Moscow, at least two Russian observatories in the Caucasus and in Uzbekistan in Central Asia were able to photograph the cloud.

The flare was also visible at Leiston in Suffolk.

The Soviet leader, Nikita Khruschev is due in Washington on Tuesday. There is speculation this latest lunar expedition has been deliberately timed to coincide with the trip.

The scientific instruments have been contained in a gas-filled sphere on the front of the craft. It has been hermetically sealed to prevent any of the contents contaminating the moon's atmosphere. 

Moscow scientists say the actual landing 236,875 miles (381,131km) away cannot possibly be seen from earth but the break-off in radio transmission will indicate the craft has arrived at its destination.

The landing is meant to take place among the three large depressions on the moon's surface, known as the seas of Serenity, Tranquillity and Vapours.

atrocity: the quality of being shockingly cruel and inhumane（暴行）

unequivocal: admitting of no doubt or misunderstanding（不含糊的）

hermetically: in an airtight manner（密封地）