World leaders condemn deadly stabbings in France

NICE, France, October 30 ------ World leaders condemned fatal stabbings Thursday in the French city of Nice that France called an Islamist terrorist attack. Condemnation came from US President Donald Trump, UN chief Antonio Guterres, as well as European, Arab and Israeli leaders. "Our hearts are with the people of France. America stands with our oldest Ally in this fight," Trump tweeted. "These Radical Islamic terrorist attacks must stop immediately. No country, France or otherwise can long put up with it!"

One of the first to condemn was Turkey, embroiled in a row with France for its permitting publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed that have triggered a wave of attacks against French people. "We strongly condemn the attack committed today inside the Notre-Dame church in Nice," a Turkish foreign ministry statement said. It expressed solidarity with France, and offered condolences to relatives of the three people killed in the attack.

'Hateful terror attack'

"We strongly condemn the attack committed today inside the Notre-Dame church in Nice," a Turkish foreign ministry statement said. It expressed solidarity with France, and offered condolences to relatives of the three people killed in the attack. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also condemned the attack, while adding that "peace cannot be achieved with ugly provocation". Elsewhere in the Middle East, Arab and Islamic leaders drew a clear distinction between their religion and violent acts that claimed to defend it.

Egypt’s foreign ministry said it "stands as a government and people with... France in combatting this hateful incident". Qatar voiced strong condemnation and reiterated its rejection of violence and terrorism, especially against places of worship and regardless of the motives. The foreign ministry also expressed condolences to the victim's families. Lebanese prime minister designate Saad Hariri urged Muslims "to reject this criminal act that has nothing to do with Islam or the Prophet".

Source: philstar.com