Pakistan condemns Jeddah cemetery attack

Such acts of violence and extremism are reprehensible, says FO

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Wednesday condemned the violent attack that took place in a cemetery in Jeddah, saying that such acts of violence and extremism are reprehensible.

A blast at a World War One remembrance ceremony in Saudi city wounded several people. The explosion was the second security incident to take place in the Red Sea port city in the last couple of weeks, and the first attack with explosives in years to attempt to hit foreigners in the kingdom.

"The government and the people of Pakistan stand in solidarity with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Chaudhri said in a statement.

He said that Pakistan appreciates the actions taken today by the Saudi security forces that prevented further loss of life.

"Pakistan supports the measures taken by the kingdom to maintain its safety and security," Zahid Chaudhari further said.

The French consulate in Jeddah, in a statement seen by Reuters, urged its nationals in Saudi Arabia to use “maximum vigilance” following the attack. The French embassy in the UAE also called on residents there to stay vigilant.

On October 29, a Saudi man was arrested after attacking and wounding a security guard at the French consulate there.