World leaders condemn Paris terror attacks, express condolences

World leaders condemn Paris terror attacks, express condolences

PanARMENIAN.Net - World leaders reacted to the deadliest violence to strike France since World War II, the Associated Press reports.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemed "the despicable terrorist attacks" in Paris.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Ban "trusts that the French authorities will do all in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice quickly."

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has sent a message to French President Francois Hollande condemning the terror attacks in Paris that killed over 120 people.

The state-run IRNA news agency quoted Rouhani as saying Saturday that Iran "itself has been a victim of the scourge of terrorism" and the fight against terrorism must go on.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she is "deeply shaken by the news and pictures that are reaching us from Paris."

The German leader issued a statement saying her thoughts were with the victims "of the apparent terrorist attack."

U.S. President Barack Obama is calling the attacks on Paris "outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians" and is vowing to do whatever it takes to help bring the perpetrators to justice.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Obama said he would not speculate about who was responsible. He called the attacks a "heartbreaking situation" and an "attack on all of humanity."

British Prime Minister David Cameron says he is "shocked" by the Paris attacks and violence.

Cameron said on Twitter: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help."

"Our hearts and thoughts and prayers go out to our French cousins in this dark and terrible time," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says.

He says Canada has offered "all of our help and support to the government of France."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a telegram expressing condolences to his French counterpart Francois Hollande, the Kremlin said on Saturday.

"This tragedy is another proof of the barbarian nature of terrorism, which challenges human civilization. Clearly, to effectively fight this evil, the entire international community should unite efforts," Putin said in the telegram.

"I would like to confirm the Russian side is ready for close cooperation with our French counterparts in investigating this crime in Paris. I hope the perpetrators will receive deserved punishment," the Russian president added.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has condemned the attacks, saying this “savage terror” was what his country has endured for years, state media reported.

"What France suffered from savage terror is what the Syrian people have been enduring for over five years," Assad was quoted as saying on state media and Lebanese TV station al Mayadeen.

In the United Arab Emirates, the state-run WAM news agency says President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a telegram to French President Francois Hollande offering his condolences and pledging support for France. WAM says Al Nahyan also supported doing "what it takes to face terrorism and eliminate it."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says in a statement, "Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with French President Francois Hollande and with the people of France in our common battle against terrorism."

Nordic governments, as well as Foreign Ministries of Japan, China, Palestine, Saudi Arabia and a number of other countries condemned the multiple attacks, calling for joint efforts aimed at the eliminations of such incidents in the future.

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