World powers support US retaliation

Australia, Japan and China have all thrown their support behind possible US retaliation for Tuesday’s unprecedented attacks on the centres of US financial and military might.

Deputy Australian Prime Minister John Anderson said his country could activate a clause in its military treaty with the US under which the attacks in the US could be deemed an attack on Australia.

Japan, which hosts 47,000 American soldiers and serves as a staging ground for US attacks in the Persian Gulf, promised full cooperation if the US retaliates.

China’s President, Jiang Zemin, also reportedly telephoned George W Bush to say Tuesday’s attacks were a challenge to the entire world.

Mr Jiang pledged to cooperate with the US to eradicate "terrorist violence".