Washington, Dhu Al-Hijjah 18, 1431, Nov 24, 2010, SPA -- The White House on Tuesday condemned North Korea's artillery attack against the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong. In a statement released on Tuesday morning, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs called on North Korea to "to halt its belligerent action and to fully abide by the terms of the armistice agreement," the 1953 pact that ended the Korean War. North Korea fired artillery onto a South Korean island near their disputed western border Tuesday, setting buildings ablaze and killing at least two marines after warning the South to halt military drills in the area, South Korean officials said. Gibbs said the White House "is in close and continuing contact" with the South Korean government. "The United States is firmly committed to the defense of our ally, the Republic of Korea, and to the maintenance of regional peace and stability," he said. --SPA 11:43 LOCAL TIME 08:43 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/838957