President Francois Hollande said in a televised statement that all of France was under an "Islamist terrorist threat" and extended by three months a state of emergency that has been in place since the November attacks that killed 130 in Paris was to end July 26. The decision needs parliamentary approval. "The terrorist character (of the attack) cannot be denied," he said.

Hollande said he was calling a defence council meeting Friday that brings together defence, interior and other key ministers, then heading to Nice. He listed several measures to bolster security in France after two waves of attacks last year that killed 147 people. Besides continuation of the state of emergency and the Sentinel operation with 10,000 soldiers on patrol, he said he was calling up "operational reserves," those who have served in the past and will be brought in to help police, particularly at French borders.

In the meantime world leaders are expressing dismay, sadness and solidarity with France over the attack carried out by a man who drove truck into crowds of people celebrating France's national day in Nice, killing at least 80 people:

UNITED STATES

President Barack Obama condemned what he said "appears to be a horrific terrorist attack" in Nice.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and other loved-ones of those killed."

Noting that the attack occurred on Bastille Day, Obama praised "the extraordinary resilience and democratic values that have made France an inspiration to the entire world."

Secretary of State John Kerry called it a "horrendous attack in Nice. ... I was proud to stand alongside French leaders earlier today at Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, and the United States will continue to stand firmly with the French people during this time of tragedy."

Both presidential candidates also condemned the attacks, with Republican Donald Trump declaring "this is war" and Democrat Hillary Clinton vowing "we will not be intimidated.

Clinton said that "every American stands in strong solidarity with the people of France, and we say with one voice: We will not be intimidated. We will never allow terrorists to undermine the egalitarian and democratic values that underpin our very way of life."

Trump, who postponed plans to announce his vice presidential pick because of the attacks, said "this is war. If you look at it, this is war coming from all different parts. And frankly it's war and we're dealing with people without uniforms."

EUROPEAN UNION

European Council president Donald Tusk expressed consternation that France was attacked on its national day and said the world stands united with the French people.

"It is a tragic paradox that the victims of the attack people celebrating liberty, quality and fraternity. We will stand united with the families of victims, the French people and the government in the fight against violence and hatred," Tusk said at a meeting of Asian and European leaders in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.

MALTA 

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has expressed to the French government Malta’s solidarity with the French people. Dr Muscat conveyed this message at the ASEM Summit in Mongolia, which is also attended by France.

The PM said that the values of liberty, equality and fraternity that yesterday’s victims were celebrating before the attack should inspire us much more than before.

He condemned the senseless act against innocent people, including families and children.

President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil, Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella and Speaker Anglu Farrugia also expressed their condolences.  

CHINA

Premier Li Keqiang said "we strongly condemn terrorism of all forms. We express our condolences to the victims and we will fight all kinds of terrorism."

BELGIUM

Foreign Minister Didier Reynders expressed dismay that France was once again the target of an apparent terrorist attack.

"We condemn such an attack, maybe a terrorist attack, but such an attack in France again," he said.

AUSTRALIA

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said three Australians suffered minor injuries while fleeing the scene.

"It has shocked France, it has rocked it to its core," Bishop told reporters in the Western Australia capital of Perth. "This should have been a time of great national pride and celebration."

Bishop condemned the violence, saying it was a reminder that "no country is immune from terrorist attacks."

"We support our friends and partners in France and we join with others around the world in hoping that this will be the end of this type of horrific incident that is targeted at unarmed civilians," she said.

SPAIN

Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said he called his counterparts in France to express his condolences.

"We are very sorry and very much with the French people and the French government," he said in at a meeting of Asian and European leaders in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.

ESTONIA

Prime Minister Taavi Roivs condemned "a terrible attack on innocent people celebrating their national day. Today, we all stand together with the French people."

KUWAIT

The ruler of oil-rich Kuwait has condemned the attack in Nice, France, saying it "runs counter to all religious teachings and humanitarian values."

The state-run Kuwait News Agency said the ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, sent a cable of condolence to French President Francois Hollande over the assault.

Sheikh Sabah said Kuwait "supports all measures France might take to protect its security against the terrorist acts." The Kuwaiti Embassy in Paris also urged its citizens in France to be careful while checking to make sure none of its citizens were wounded.

Tiny Kuwait faced an Islamic State group suicide attack last year during Ramadan at a Shiite mosque which killed at least 27 people and wounded 227.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The seven sheikhdoms of the United Arab Emirates condemned the "heinous terrorist crime" that struck Nice.

In a statement Friday on the state-run WAM news agency, Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan pledged to stand with the people of France after the assault.

Sheikh Abdullah also stressed the attack "makes it imperative for everyone to work together decisively and without hesitation to counter terrorism in all its forms."

The UAE is part of the U.S.-led coalition targeting the Islamic State group and hosts American and Western military personnel involved in the fight. While its neighbors have been struck by extremis attacks, the UAE's capital of Abu Dhabi and its commercial hub of Dubai have escaped the violence.