Brigadier Saunders was married with two children

"The Greek government and the Greek people categorically condemn any kind of terrorist operation. We will not spare any efforts in bringing the culprits to justice, and we are determined to actively continue our difficult fight against terrorism.

"Please accept, on behalf of the Greek Government and the Greek people, my expression of special support and my condolences to the family of the victim."

'Damage to country'

Foreign Minister George Papandreou said the government would not tolerate terrorism.

"I want to very emphatically condemn this terrorist act and to stress that this act is not condemned only by the Greek government but the entire Greek people," he said. "The Greek Government will pitilessly confront terrorism and, of course, will defend Greece's public and international image."

Costas Simitis condemned the shooting

Public Order Minister Mikhail Khrisokhoidhis said the action had damaged the whole country.

"I informed the prime minister on the tragic incident that took place this morning against the British defence attach�," he said. "I want to express again my abhorrence, deep sadness, and condolences to the family of the victim.

"I believe that apart from the loss of the unlucky victim, this action primarily harms the interests of the country."

The Greek Communist Party condemned the abhorrent action "regardless of its origin" and noted that the attack had taken place not long after the US State Department had issued a report on terrorism in Greece.

Another party, the Coalition of the Left and Progress, issued a statement condemning the attack as "a blind act of violence".

And in Cyprus, the government condemned the attack saying it had served no purpose other than to create problems and leave Greece exposed.

Government spokesman Mikhalis Papapetrou said the attack was the concern of Cyprus too, in that Athens is "our main supporter in our effort to solve the Cyprus question".

He added: "We condemn this act and convey our condolences to the British Government and the family of the victim."

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.