Nawaz, world leaders condemn Paris terror attacks

Obama leads chorus of world outrage over Paris attacks


Web Desk November 14, 2015
French fire brigade members aid an injured individual near the Bataclan concert hall following fatal shootings in Paris, France, November 13, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday strongly condemned the multiple terror attacks in Paris which killed more than 120 people.

"Pakistan stands firmly behind the people and Government of France in this hour and extends its support to bring the perpetrators to justice," he said in a statement according to Radio Pakistan.

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At least 120 people were killed in a series of simultaneous gun attacks across Paris, as well as explosions outside the national stadium where France was playing Germany in a football match.

Police have said that at least 120 people were killed at the Bataclan concert hall in central Paris, only some 200 metres (yards) from the former offices of Charlie Hebdo which were attacked by extremists in January.

Spectators gather on the pitch of the Stade de France stadium following the friendly football match between France and Germany in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on November 13, 2015, after a series of gun attacks occurred across Paris as well as explosions outside the national stadium where France was hosting Germany. PHOTO: AFP

Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilluah in a statement also denounced the attack, while expressing condolences to the bereaved families.

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"Pakistan stands with the French people in their hour of grief. We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," he said, further condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Obama leads chorus of world outrage over Paris attacks

US President Barack Obama led a chorus of global condemnation of a wave of attacks in Paris on Friday, as nations pledged solidarity with France.

Countries such as the United States, Britain, Spain and India, which have experienced their own mass-casualty attacks, were among the first to voice their condemnation.

"It's an attack not just on the people of France. But this is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values we share," Obama said in an address at the White House.

"We're going to do whatever it takes to work with the French people and with nations around the world to bring these terrorists to justice and to go after any terrorist networks that go after our people."

Forensic police search for evidences inside the Comptoire Voltaire cafe at the site of an attack on November 14, 2015 in Paris, after a series of gun attacks occurred across the city. PHOTO: AFP

In London, where 52 people were killed and hundreds wounded in a series of coordinated suicide bombings in 2005, British Prime Minister David Cameron said: "We will do whatever we can to help."

Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo, the foreign minister of Spain, where 191 people were killed in train bombings in 2004, raised the specter of a jihadist attack.

Muslims all over the world condemn terrorism, express solidarity with French

"All of this confirms that we are facing an unprecedented challenge, a hugely cruel challenge," he told public television TVE.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose country was hit by two major attacks in 2006 and 2008 that saw a total of 355 people killed, said on Twitter the "news from Paris is anguishing & dreadful".



France's Jewish community was among the targets of the last attacks Paris in January and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu added his voice to the condemnation.

"Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with French President Francois Hollande and with the people of France in our common battle against terrorism," he said.

Netanyahu told France's Jewish community -- the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world -- after the January attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket that they would be welcomed with open arms by Israel.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, where twin bombings on a peace rally in Ankara last month killed 102 people, offered his condolences.

"As a country that knows very well the manner and consequences of terrorism, we understand perfectly the suffering that France is experiencing now," he said.

A man lays a tribute to victims of the attacks at the Carillon restaurant in Paris on November 14, 2015 following a series of coordinated attacks in and around Paris late Friday which left more than 120 people dead. PHOTO: AFP

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani strongly condemned Friday's deadly attacks in Paris, branding them "crimes against humanity" in a message to his French counterpart Francois Hollande, official news agency Irna said.

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini tweeted that she was "in the process of following with pain and dread the events in Paris".

"Europe is with France and the French people," she said.



Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke of "these tragic times for the French people" as he condemned "in the strongest ways this barbarous act."

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei added that Beijing was "profoundly shocked", saying "terrorism is a common challenge, which the whole (of) humanity is facing".

Angela Merkel, the chancellor of neighboring Germany, said she was "profoundly shocked by the news and images from Paris", while Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders tweeted: "Shocked and appalled by new attacks in #Paris. Words are not enough."

And in Australia, where a lone gunman reportedly shouting Islamist slogans killed a man outside police headquarters in Sydney last month, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said "this is indeed a black Friday for France and for the world".

Elsewhere in Asia, where people woke up to the news from Paris, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan of Singapore, which raised its alert level, said "this is a terrible assault on a beautiful city with warm, cheerful, hospitable people".

"We must not let the terrorists divide us or destroy our spirit. I know the French spirit will prevail," said Balakrishnan, adding that he would be in Paris for global climate change talks starting at the end of this month.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino's government, which is preparing to host the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on November 18-19, said the Paris attacks demanded "heightened security from all of us".

Moscow called on Saturday for the international community to unite in its fight against terrorism after a string of attacks in Paris left more than 128 people dead on Friday.

"This tragedy has become another testimony of terrorism's barbarity, which poses a challenge to human civilisation," Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a telegram to French counterpart Francois Hollande, according to the Kremlin.

"It is clear that the real unification of the international community's efforts is needed for an effective fight against this evil."

Putin added that Russia was ready to "closely cooperate" with France in its investigation of the attacks.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev echoed his president's response, saying in a statement: "The Paris tragedy requires of us all to unite in the fight against extremism, to bring a strong answer to terrorists' actions."

In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, the Kremlin offered its condolences, condemning the "hateful" string of attacks and "inhuman murders".

Pope Francis said on Saturday he was "shaken" by what he described as the "inhuman" attacks on a string of Paris venues.

"I am shaken, I don't understand these things, done by human beings... There cannot be justification, religious or human. It's inhuman," an emotional pontiff said during a telephone interview with TG2000 television.

Grappling to find the right words, the Pope added: "I am with all those with suffer, and with France, which I love so much."

COMMENTS (8)

Waqar | 8 years ago | Reply @JSM: it doesn't matter someone believes you or not.
JSM | 8 years ago | Reply @Waqar: If you are innocent, no one will believe us.
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