Swedish Prime Minister Goeran Persson said the deadly blasts that ripped through London on Thursday brought him back to the terrible attacks on Sept. 11, Radio Sweden reported.
The prime minister's comments came in responding to a spate of deadly rush-hour bus and subway bombings in London. At least 40 people were killed, and more than 360 wounded in the terror attacks.
"I immediately made the connection with September 11. I don't know if it is right or not, but that was my gut reaction," Persson told reporters on the sidelines of a press conference in Stockholm.
He said the terrorist attacks in London were "an attack on our open society" and that Europe must stand united in the fight against terrorism.
Persson, who cut short his vacation after hearing of the blasts in London, said he did not believe there was an increased threat against Sweden, but added that "we should not underestimate the danger" and acknowledged that the security level in this Scandinavian country would be increased slightly.
Sweden has dispatched extra staff to its embassy in London in the event that any Swedes there need assistance. The government is also on standby to assist authorities in London any way that it can, according to Radio Sweden.