BEIJING - President Hu Jintao extended condolences to his US counterpart, Barack Obama, on Saturday over the devastating tornados that swept through southern United States this week.

Hu expressed his deep sympathy and condolences to Obama, and through him to the American people, over casualties and property losses. He mourned the dead.

The Chinese president said he believed that American people will overcome the difficulties and rebuild their homes.

The recent tornados have killed at least 342 people.