World relieved that crisis is over

Many of the hostages were freed after a shoot-out

There is a sense of relief around the world that the hostage crisis in a Moscow theatre has been brought to an end, with a number of countries approving Russia's decision to storm the building.

More than 100 hostages were killed during the pre-dawn operation on Saturday and its aftermath, and hundreds more were taken to hospital.

President Putin has again proved his courage and firmness in the fight against the terrorist monster

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon

But 750 people - including most of the foreign hostages - were rescued alive.

"The human toll is very heavy but France is relieved because the worst was ultimately avoided," French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said.

US President George W Bush condemned the "violence created by the terrorists", White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said.

"This is a reminder about risks to the free world that terrorists present: that as a result of terrorism, innocent lives have been lost," he said at a press briefing.

Siege deplored

US Secretary of State Colin Powell added that, while regretting the loss of innocent life, he was glad the crisis had been resolved.

"Once again, it demonstrates that terrorism can strike anywhere, and we have to be on guard," he said.

Click here for pictures of how the siege ended

In a statement, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said he mourned those who had lost their lives and extended sympathy to their families.

"As the Security Council affirmed on 24 October 2002, the taking of hostages is a heinous act of terrorism which cannot be justified by any circumstance," the UN statement said.

A spokeswoman for UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said the British Government welcomed the end of the siege, and praised the Russian authorities for bringing "a swift end to this terrible incident".

"We deplore this and all acts of terrorism," she said.

Foreign hostages

At least 30 Ukrainians

5 Azeris

4 Americans

3 Britons

3 Latvians

3 Turks

2 Germans

There were also captives from:

Australia

Austria

Belarus

Canada

Israel

Georgia

Netherlands

Switzerland

The European Commission said that as a result of the events in Moscow it would work more closely than ever with Russia in the fight against terrorism.

"This tragedy shows once again the fragility of our modern societies in the face of terrorism," head of the European Commission Romano Prodi said.

And German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder expressed his relief that most of the theatre hostages, including German citizens, were safe.

"Even if the details are not yet clear, we should be happy that a large majority of the hostages, among them Germans, are now safe," Mr Schroeder said in a statement.

Ukraine gratitude

Ukraine - with by far the biggest group of foreign hostages - thanked Russia for its actions, as did several other former Soviet republics.

Russia was also praised by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for its "perfect military operation that saved the lives of many innocent civilians".

"President Putin has again proved his courage and firmness in the fight against the terrorist monster," Mr Sharon said in a statement.

He added: "It is a perfect example that all civilised countries should follow, because there can be no compromise with terrorism."

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat congratulated President Putin on ending the siege and condemned what he said was a "terrorist act which targeted innocent civilians".