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World leaders condemn Paris terrorist attacks

World leaders condemn Paris terrorist attacksLeaders from all over the world have expressed their shock at a wave of gun-and-bomb attacks in Paris Friday night which has so far claimed the lives of well over 100 people.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement: “My thoughts in these hours are with the victims of these apparently terrorist attacks, their relatives, and all people in Paris”.

“The German government is in contact with the French government and has expressed the sympathy and solidarity of the people in Germany,” she said.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also condemned the attacks. “I am deeply shocked by the horrific terrorist attacks across Paris tonight,” Stoltenberg said in a statement.

“My thoughts are with the families of the victims, with all those affected, and with the people of France. We stand strong and united in the fight against terrorism. Terrorism will never defeat democracy,” he said.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker tweeted: “I am deeply shocked by the events in Paris. We stand in full solidarity with the people of France”.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini tweeted in French: “Trying to keep up with pain and terror events in #Paris. Europe is with France and the French people #Unis.”

European Parliament President Martin Schulz also tweeted in French: “Terrible news arrived #Paris. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, our support to the authorities”.

European Council President Donald Tusk said on his Twitter account: “I follow with shock the attacks in Paris. My full solidarity & sympathy with the French people and authorities”.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras also tweeted: “We are watching overwhelmed. Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. In these tough times we are with the French people”.

British Prime Minister David Cameron made his first statement on Paris attacks via Twitter, saying: “I am shocked by events in Paris tonight, our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help.”

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a letter of condolence to the French president: “We are extremely angered by this horrible incident, we resolutely condemn terror and comprehensively support fight against all its manifestations”.

Georgia President Giorgi Margvelashvili also condemned the attacks and offered his condolences to the families of the victims. “This is a crime against all of humanity and entire world.”

Also, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said via his Twitter account: “Deeply shocked and saddened by Paris events. Our thoughts, prayers are with the French people in this hour of tragedy.”

Asia Pacific leaders condemn attacks

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed deep condolences for the victims of the attack Saturday, writing a message of condolences to his French counterpart.

“At the sorrowful moment of the French people, I, on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, and personally, condemn in the strongest terms the barbaric acts,” Xi Jinping said.

The country’s premier Li Kequiang spoke against the attacks in a message to French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, saying China would work with France to oppose all forms of terrorism.

Australia’s Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove said in a press statement Saturday that Australia condemned “in the strongest possible terms, those who seek to interrupt our peaceful way of life”, adding that Australians sent their deepest condolences and sympathies to the French people.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull sent a social media message, saying: “Australians’ thoughts, prayers and resolute solidarity with people of France as they respond to brutal terrorist attacks in Paris tonight”.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key, whose daughter was in Paris at the time, was quoted by the New Zealand Herald as saying: “It’s a tragic day for the people of France and for any of the families of the victims involved. Our hearts go out to those involved and our thoughts with them and their families”.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo also expressed his condolences, underlining the need for international cooperation in handling terrorism issues, according to the Jakarta Post.

In a statement related by South Korean state news agency Yonhap, President Park Geun-hye said that the attacks were “not only against France but also against the international community”.

“I and my people convey deep condolences,” Geun-hye was quoted as saying. “Terrorism is a crime against humanity. It is never justified and should not be tolerated in any circumstance”.

State-run Japanese news agency Kyodo quoted Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga as denouncing the attacks, saying he felt “a strong shock and outrage” at the “cruel and extremely cowardly acts of terrorism”.

Philippines President Benigno Aquino III said that the atrocities “demand a united voice from the world in condemnation and grief”, saying that France had always stood by his country in past disasters.

“We stand with France now, in the firm belief that the light must never dim in Paris,” Aquino III added.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said on social media that “Malaysia condemns the outrageous attacks in Paris today on innocent civilians”.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen published a letter addressed to Hollande on his Facebook page, which said that he had “learnt of the dreadful attacks with horror and distress”, also noting that one target was a Cambodian restaurant. The letter emphasized that the country’s government and people sent their deep feelings and condolences.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani postponed his visit to Europe, including France after Paris deadly attacks, according to Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

IRNA quoted Foreign Minister Javad Zarif as saying: “It is better now to focus on fighting terrorism and President Rouhani’s trip to Europe will happen in near future”.

Arab leaders reacts

Many Arab countries also condemned the Paris attacks.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi ordered his Egyptian ambassador in Paris to personally deliver his condolences to the French government and its people as well as asserting on solidarity with France and international efforts to combat terrorism.

Jordanian government spokesman and Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani said that Jordan stands with the French people in confronting terrorism and called on the international community to stand and cooperate to combat terrorism and extremism.

Qatari Foreign Ministry said in a statement Saturday that the attacks aim to destabilize security and contradicts all principles of morality and humanitarian values.

Kuwaiti Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah sent his condolences to French President Francois Hollande and said that the criminal act contradicted religions and humanitarian values.

Saudi Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the terrorist attacks and offered condolences to France.

Morroco’s Mohammed VI expressed solidarity with France and offered condolences on behalf of the Moroccan people.

Iraqi Kurdish regional government’s leader Masoud Barzani also condemned the attacks. “Terror is a common enemy of humanity,” he said in his letter of condolence.

(Additional Reporting by Hader Glang from Philippines and Lauren Crothers from Cambodia)(Anadolu Agency).

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