Condoling the loss of lives in the Samjhauta Express blasts, the White House on Tuesday said the United States "despises acts of terror" and praised the Indian and Pakistani leadership for their determination to deal with the situation.

White House spokesman Tony Snow pointed to the reactions of outrage from the leaders of India and Pakistan and their determination to deal with the situation, stressing that this is not only the best way to deal with the problem, but also that Washington is not inclined to look beyond and make something out of the present situation.

"President (Pervez) Musharraf, and Indian Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh together have not only expressed their outrage about it, but they have promised to deal with it, which is what you would want them to do.

We certainly express our condolences, and we despise acts of terror, period," Snow said in response to a query.

Asked if anything can be made out of this at this present juncture, Snow replied, "No. No. I know that you are trying to talk about other players in it, but, no, no, no."

White House spokesman David Almacy had earlier extended condolences to the families of the victims of Sunday night's blasts near Haryana's Panipat.

"We express our deepest sorrow for this tragedy and extend condolences to the families of the victims. We appreciate the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, and condemn those who seek to undermine progress in relations between the two countries," Almacy said.

The US State Department strongly condemned the bombing, stressing that there is no justification for violence against innocent people.

The Bush administration has also made it known that it will work with India and Pakistan to halt extremism and counter the threat of terrorists.

"We condemn the terrorist attack that killed so many innocent people travelling on the Samjhauta Express on February 18, a rail line that links New Delhi, India, and Lahore, Pakistan. The United States extends its condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of India and Pakistan," deputy spokesman Tom Casey said at the start of his regular briefing.

"There is no political justification for violence against innocent people. Such acts only serve terrorist efforts to spread fear, generate hate and limit freedoms," he added.

"We will continue to support and work with both India and Pakistan in their efforts to halt extremism and counter terrorist threats," Casey said.