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Obama On Brussels Attacks: 'We Must Be Together' To Fight Terrorism

"We can and we will defeat those who threaten the safety and security of people all around the world."
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By 

Senior Editor, Breaking News, HuffPost

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President Barack Obama spoke on the explosions in Brussels Tuesday, saying the world must stand united against terrorism.

"We will do whatever is necessary to support our friend and ally Belgium in bringing to justice those who are responsible," Obama said. "This is yet another reminder that the world must unite. We must be together regardless of nationality, or race, or faith, in fighting against the scourge of terrorism. We can and we will defeat those who threaten the safety and security of people all around the world."

Explosions in a Brussels airport and train station killed at least 31 people Tuesday morning. The attack took place just days after the suspected mastermind of last year’s Paris terror attacks was captured.

Read more on the Brussels attacks here.

Obama spoke with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel after the attack, offering any assistance necessary in investigating the incident.

Obama gave his public reaction to the attacks during a press conference in Havana, where he's currently visiting as part of a historic trip to Cuba.

This article was updated Wednesday morning after officials revised casualty numbers.

For additional coverage in French, visit Le Huffington Post and their live blog. 

For additional coverage in German, visit HuffPost Germany. 

For additional coverage in Spanish, visit HuffPost Spain. 

Before You Go

Explosions In Brussels
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A soldier stands near broken windows after explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. (credit:Reuters)
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Passengers leave Brussels airport in Zaventem on March 22, 2016. (credit:JOHN THYS via Getty Images)
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Black smoke is seen rising from the Brussels airport following explosions, in this still image made available March 22, 2016. (credit:Reuters)
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Injured people are seen at the scene of explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016, in this handout courtesy of David Crunelle via Twitter. (credit:Reuters)
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A picture taken in Zaventem on March 22, 2016, shows the damaged facade of Brussels airport. (credit:JOHN THYS via Getty Images)
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In this photo provided by Ralph Usbeck an unidentified traveller lies on the ground in a smoke filled terminal at Brussels Airport, in Brussels, after explosions Tuesday, March 22, 2016. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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This photo that Ketevan Kardava took shows a man wounded inside the airport at Brussels, Belgium, after explosions were heard Tuesday, March 22, 2016. The image was provided by the Georgian Public Broadcaster. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A man is wounded in Brussels Airport in Brussels, Belgium, after explosions were heard Tuesday, March 22, 2016. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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In this photo provided by Ralph Usbeck a police officers directs passengers in a smoke filled terminal at Brussels Airport, in Brussels after explosions Tuesday, March 22, 2016. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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This photo provided by Georgian Public Broadcaster and photographed by Ketevan Kardava, shows the scene in Brussels Airport in Brussels, Belgium, after explosions were heard Tuesday, March 22, 2016. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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In this photo provided by Ralph Usbeck an unidentified traveller gets to his feet in a smoke filled terminal at Brussels Airport, in Brussels after explosions Tuesday, March 22, 2016. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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In this photo provided by Georgian Public Broadcaster and photographed by Ketevan Kardava two women wounded in Brussels Airport in Brussels, Belgium, after explosions were heard Tuesday, March 22, 2016. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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People react outside Brussels airport after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium, on Tuesday March 22, 2016. There was another blast at a subway station, just days after the main suspect in the November Paris attacks was arrested in the city, police said. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Airport workers embrace as they leave the scene of explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016. (credit:Reuters)
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In this image made from video, emergency rescue workers help an unidentified person at the site of an explosion at a metro station in Brussels, Belgium, on March 22, 2016. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Rescuers give a victim first aid on March 22, 2016, near Maalbeek metro station in Brussels. (credit:EMMANUEL DUNAND via Getty Images)
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People walk away from Brussels airport after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday March 22, 2016. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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In this image taken from TV an injured person is evacuated as emergency services attend the scene after an explosion in a main metro station in Brussels on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Smoke rising from the Maalbeek underground, in Brussels, following a blast at the station close to the capital's European quarter on March 22, 2016. (credit:SEPPE KNAPEN via Getty Images)
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People are seen at the scene of explosions at Zaventem airport near Brussels, Belgium, March 22, 2016, in this handout courtesy of David Crunelle via Twitter. (credit:Reuters)
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People react as they walk away from Brussels airport after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium Tuesday March 22, 2016. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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People are evacuated from Brussels Airport, in Zaventem, on March 22, 2016. (credit:VIRGINIE LEFOUR via Getty Images)
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A young girl looks out of the window of a bus after being evacuated from Brussels airport, after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday March 22, 2016. (credit:Associated Press)
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People react as they walk away from Brussels airport after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium Tuesday March 22, 2016. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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People react as they walk away from Brussels airport after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium Tuesday March 22, 2016. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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People react outside Brussels airport after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium Tuesday March 22, 2016. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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People are evacuated from Brussels airport after explosions rocked the facility in Brussels, Belgium Tuesday March 22, 2016. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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A hearse arrives to Brussels Airport in Zaventem following twin blasts on March 22, 2016. (credit:JOHN THYS via Getty Images)
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Broken glass is seen outside an entrance to Maelbeek metro station following an attack on March 22, 2016 in Brussels, Belgium. (credit:Carl Court via Getty Images)
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Broken glass and blood is seen beside signage outside an entrance to Maelbeek metro station following an attack on March 22, 2016 in Brussels, Belgium. (credit:Carl Court via Getty Images)
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