CANBERRA, Oct. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- Australian leaders have strongly condemned the latest series of terrorist attacks in the Indonesian island of Bali which have killed at least 26 people including two Australians as the Australian government provided assistance to support victims of the attacks.

    Australian Governor-General Michael Jeffery said he was appalled by the attacks on innocent people, denouncing the attacks as "senseless, cruel and inhumane actions."

    "I know I speak for all Australians when I say that we stand with the government and people of Indonesia in their time of need, just as we did following the terrorist attacks just three years ago in Bali, and in the aftermath of the tsunami," he said Sunday in a statement.

    Jeffery was referring to the series of bombing blasts in Bali in 2002, in which 202 people, including 88 Australians, were killed.

    Australian Prime Minister John Howard said the Bali bombings were a mindless act of terrorism, calling those behind the bombings cowards who had shown blind hatred and indifference towards their victims.

    He said the attacks were designed to destabilize Indonesia as they had come during the holiday season at a time when Australians were showing growing confidence in returning to Bali after the 2002 bombings.

    Australian Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley condemned the bombings as evil, vicious act, saying "Our hearts are with the families of the bereaved and the suffering and the sense of grief and enormous discomfort and concern that they now feel."

    Muslim leaders across Australia also strongly condemned the bombings, but also warned of retribution against Australian Muslims.

    Islamic Council of NSW (New South Wales) chairman Ali Roude said "Whatever the circumstances, the killing of innocent people in such an horrific and evil approach won't resolve anything or achieve any policy result."

    Meanwhile, Australia Defense Minister Robert Hill announced that the Australian Defense Force (ADF) has deployed two aircraft and specialist medical personnel to Bali as part of the government's response to the attacks.

    ADF personnel will work with Australian Embassy and Consulate staff, who are working closely with the Indonesian authorities to provide assistance in Bali, according to Hill.

    Further Royal Australian Air Force aircraft and personnel will remain on standby in Darwin, capital city of Australia's Northern Territory, to move to Bali if required, he said.

    Howard also said Australia will help to catch those behind the bombings.

    Many Australian tourists have postponed or canceled their travel plans to Bali, while some other Australians are continuing to travel to Bali for holiday, arguing the terrorists will win if people give in to them.

    Australians injured in the Bali bombings are expected to start arriving in Darwin overnight for treatment.

    The Australian government officials were working to confirm claims by Bali hospital officials that a third Australian had also died.

    Australian Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said there are no plans to strengthen Australia's travel warnings for Indonesia or the terror alert level at home. Enditem