BRUSSELS, Sept. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- The European Commission (EC) President Romano Prodi Friday reacted with "shock and deep sadness" to the news of the deaths of hostages at the school in Northern Ossetia in Russia.

    "Killing of these innocent people is an evil, despicable act ofbarbarism," Prodi was quoted as saying in a written statement e-mailed to all Brussels-based media agencies.

    "The fact that many of them appear to have been young children murdered in cold blood is simply horrible," he said.

    The executive arm of the European Union (EU) condemns all formsof terrorism fully and unconditionally, said the statement.

    The EC said it regrets that the hostage crisis could not be solved peacefully but the blame cannot be put on anyone else but those who committed this heinous crime.

    "I would like to express my deepest and sincerest condolences to the families of the victims who will have to live with the memory of this horrible day," Prodi was quoted as saying.

    "The fight against terrorism is a common cause to all peace-loving peoples and governments of the world," he added. Enditem