The Group of Eight (G8) countries pledged to advance their counter-terrorism cooperation in sharing information on terrorists and addressing transportation threat, according to a statement issued Friday at the end of the G8 summit.

"We will respond resolutely, together and severally, to this global challenge and work to bring terrorists to justice wherever they are," said a statement after a series of bombings hit London's transportation network on Thursday morning's rush hour, which have so far killed at least 50 people and injured more than 700.

The statement said the G8 nations will work to improve the sharing of the information on the movement of terrorists across international borders, to assess and address the threat to the transportation infrastructure, and to promote practices for rail and metro security.

"This tragedy strengthens our resolve to reach early agreement on a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism." said the statement.

According to the statement, the immediate imperative is to reduce the threat from those already intent on terrorism. The G8 nations have had considerable success, but must continue to enhance their efforts.

"As terrorists operate flexibly and internationally, so must we, government, police and intelligence responses must be more effectively coordinated - both within and between States. Co- operation between external and internal intelligence and security agencies must be further improved," said the statement.

"But if we are to succeed in the long term, we must not only disrupt current terrorist activity: it is equally important to prevent more people turning to terrorism. Knowledge of the terrorists and their networks helps us to understand how and why individuals join these networks," the statement said.

"As G8 leaders, we pledge the sustained commitment required to identify and reduce the terrorist threat, to promote freedom and security, to protect democracy and to ensure the rule of law," the statement said.

Source: Xinhua