US vows to assist Kenya in counterterrorism efforts

The White House condemned as "despicable" the attack that left at least 39 people dead at a Nairobi shopping mall on Saturday, vowing to assist Kenya's counterterrorism efforts. Americans were among the injured, estimated at 150, in the attack claimed by Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab militants, US Secretary of State John Kerry said. "Today's terrorist massacre of so many innocents is a heartbreaking reminder that there exists unspeakable evil in our world which can destroy life in a senseless instant," Kerry said. "Attacks like this can't change who we are, a people committed to peace and justice for all, but rather must reaffirm our determination to counter extremism and promote tolerance everywhere," he added. The top US diplomat promised to help bring the perpetrators of the "abhorrent violence" to justice." Meanwhile, US National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in a statement that the United States condemns in the strongest terms the despicable terrorist attack on innocent civilians today at the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya. "The perpetrators of this heinous act must be brought to justice, and we have offered our full support to the Kenyan government to do so." Hayden vowed to "stand with the Kenyan people in their efforts to confront terrorism in all its forms, including the threat posed by al-Shebab." "This cowardly act against innocent civilians will not shake our resolve," she added.