Russian President Vladimir Putin says this week's deadly hostage crisis at a school in southern Russia was part of, in his words, a "full-blown war" against his country by international terrorists.
In a televised address Saturday, Mr. Putin said his country must respond by setting up a more efficient security system capable of dealing with larger and more complex threats.
He also urged the nation to unify against the common danger of terrorism.
Authorities say more than 320 people were killed when troops stormed the school in Beslan Friday after explosions went off inside the gymnasium. Nearly half of the dead were children. Among the dead are 27 attackers, including Chechens and Arabs. More than 700 others were injured.
Information for this report is provided by AP and AFP.