Washington, Aug 27 (IANS): The US has strongly condemned the bomb attack on the UN headquarters in Nigerian capital Abuja, saying there is no justification for such a violence, Xinhua reported.

The suicide car bomb attack on the UN headquarters killed at least 18 people Friday.

US President Barack Obama strongly condemned the bomb attack , describing it as a " heinous action".

"I strongly condemn today's horrific and cowardly attack on the United Nations headquarters building in Abuja, Nigeria, which killed and wounded many innocent civilians from Nigeria and around the world," Obama said in a statement released by the White House.

He extended "the deepest sympathies" of Americans to the victims and their families.

"The people who serve the United Nations do so with a simple purpose: to try to improve the lives of their neighbours and promote the values on which the UN was founded -- dignity, freedom, security, and peace," said Obama.

He said the UN has been working in partnership with the Nigerians for more than five decades, and the attack demonstrates "the bankruptcy of the ideology that led to this heinous action."

Obama said the US strongly supports the work of the UN and " its lasting bond with the people of Nigeria".

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also condemned the attack, saying "there is no justification for this violence."

She said such attacks "only strengthen our resolve and commitment to the work of the United Nations and the people of Nigeria."