World leaders have condemned Friday’s multiple terror attacks in Paris, as cities across the world boosted security in response to the killings, The Guardian is reporting.
President Barack Obama described the atrocities, in which at least 120 people died, as “an attack on all of humanity”.
He said in an address at the White House: “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.
“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.”
The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, called the attacks “heinous, evil” and “vile” and “an assault on our common humanity”.
Kerry said the US embassy in Paris was trying to confirm the safety of US citizens, adding that Washington was ready to provide whatever support the French government may require.
The leaders of other countries that have been targeted by terrorism joined the chorus of condemnation.
In London, where 52 people were killed and hundreds injured in a terrorist attack 10 years ago, the British prime minister, David Cameron, said: “We will do whatever we can to help.”
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron)
November 13, 2015
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.
Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo, the foreign minister of Spain, where 191 people were killed in train bombings in 2004, warned of possible repeat attacks by jihadists. “All of this confirms that we are facing an unprecedented challenge, a hugely cruel challenge,” he told public television TVE.
India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, whose country was hit by two attacks in 2006 and 2008, said on Twitter the “news from Paris is anguishing & dreadful”.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi)
November 13, 2015
News from Paris is anguishing & dreadful. Prayers with families of the deceased. We are united with people of France in this tragic hour.
The Israeli Prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said: “Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with French president Francois Hollande and with the people of France in our common battle against terrorism.”
The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, said she was “profoundly shocked by the news and images from Paris”. Merkel issued a statement saying her thoughts were with the victims, while the Dutch foreign minister, Bert Koenders, said he was “shocked and appalled by new attacks in Paris. Words are not enough”.
In Australia the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, said the attacks appeared “to have all the hallmarks of Daesh, of Isil”, but that information was still limited.
He pledged Australian solidarity and support for the fight against terrorism.
“It is a global struggle for freedom against those who seek to suppress it and seek to assert some form of religious tyranny; a threat in the name of God but [which] is truthfully the work of the devil,” he said.
The Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, said: “This is indeed a black Friday for France and for the world.”
After waking up to the news from Paris, countries in Asia voiced anger at the attacks and solidarity with the people of France.
China’s President, Xi Jinping, spoke of “these tragic times for the French people” and condemned “in the strongest ways this barbarous act”.
Chinese state television quoted Xi as saying Beijing would “battle terrorism along with France and the international community”.
Iran’s President, Hassan Rouhani, postponed his trip to Europe after Friday’s terror in Paris.
He strongly condemned the deadly attacks, branding them “crimes against humanity” in a message to his French counterpart Francois Hollande, official news agency Irna said.
“In the name of the Iranian people, who have themselves been victims of terrorism, I strongly condemn these crimes against humanity and offer my condolences to the grieving French people and government,” Rouhani wrote.
Singapore raised its alert level, meanwhile, with the Foreign Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, describing the French attacks as “a terrible assault on a beautiful city with warm, cheerful, hospitable people”.
He added: “We must not let the terrorists divide us or destroy our spirit. I know the French spirit will prevail.”
Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of NATO, said he was “deeply shocked” by the Paris attacks. “We stand together with the people of France. Terrorism will never defeat democracy,” he said on Twitter.
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg)
November 13, 2015
I am deeply shocked by horrific Paris attacks. We stand together with the people of #France. Terrorism will never defeat democracy.
US presidential candidates condemned the attacks and voiced support for the French government and people.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton)
November 13, 2015
The reports from Paris are harrowing. Praying for the city and families of the victims. -H
Donald Trump said his prayers were with the victims and hostages.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
November 13, 2015
My prayers are with the victims and hostages in the horrible Paris attacks. May God be with you all.
Trump’s Republican rival, Jeb Bush, said: “America will stand with you against terror.”
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush)
November 13, 2015
Praying for Paris tonight. America will stand with you against terror.
