World mourns and condemns attacks in Paris
Mourners across the globe reacted to the attacks
in Paris with tears, shows of solidarity and
condemnations of those who carried out the
assaults that left at least 128 dead.
Among politicians, there were loud calls
for the world to ratchet up the fight
against terrorism.
Bouquets, candles and messages of
condolence were laid at French
embassies worldwide. Buildings ranging
from the Sydney Opera House in
Australia to One World Trade Center in
New York were lit up in the colours of
the French flag. In Madrid and
Barcelona, hundreds stood for a minute’s
silence outside city hall.
“We are reminded in this time of tragedy
that the bonds of liberte, egalite,
fraternite, are not just the values French
people share, but we share,” said US
President Barack Obama, citing France’s
national motto.
The coordinated killings reverberated
around the world after the shootings by
gunmen shouting “Allahu akbar”,
explosions and a hostage-taking at a
popular concert venue on Friday in the
French capital.
Queen Elizabeth II said she and her
spouse Prince Philip were “deeply
shocked,” and British Prime Minister
David Cameron offered Britain’s help.
Indian Premier Narendra Modi called
the attacks “anguishing and dreadful”
and Hassan Rouhani of Iran condemned
the attacks as “crimes against
humanity.”
“We share the sadness and the pain of
the French people,” said Russian Prime
Minister Dmitry Medvedev. “The Paris
tragedy requires of us all to unite in the
fight against extremism.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping said: “In
these tragic times for the French people,
I want… to condemn in the strongest
ways this barbarous act.”
The Islamic State group claimed
responsibility for a “blessed attack on…
Crusader France,” which included an
assault on the national sports stadium
and the Bataclan concert hall.
France is part of a US-led coalition
conducting an air war against IS in Syria
and Iraq, where IS declared a caliphate
last year after seizing swathes of both
countries.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said
that French policy had contributed to the
“spread of terrorism” that culminated in
the Paris attacks.
“The terrorist attacks that targeted the
French capital Paris cannot be separated
from what happened in the Lebanese
capital Beirut lately and from what has
been happening in Syria for the past
five years and in other areas,” he said.
‘Terrorists will defeat us’ –
The outpouring of support for France
generated massive amounts of posts on
social media, with the hastags
#prayforparis and #jesuisparis going
viral.
One user, @emilymiddlemas_ , wrote “I
am so heart broken! All my love and
prayers go out to everyone affected by
this horrible attack, when will this stop.”
Mourners were also sharing a peace
symbol that includes Paris’s iconic Eiffel
Tower.
Among other reactions:
Pope Francis expressed his profound
distress and solidarity with the
casualties. “There cannot be justification,
religious or human” for the attacks, he
said.
Spanish Premier Mariano Rajoy
declared, “We are all France,”
apparently echoing France’s support for
the United States (“We are all
Americans”) after 9/11.
– Nigerian President Muhammadu
Buhari hit out at “barbaric attacks… an
unacceptable affront to all human values
and civilized norms.”
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta: “Our
common humanity has been attacked in
Paris by terrorists, and innocent
civilians murdered in cold blood.”
Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s president:
“Terrorism is our common enemy.”
The grand imam of the prestigious Al-
Azhar mosque in Cairo called the attacks
“despicable” adding “it is time for the
whole world to confront this monster.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu: “Israel stands shoulder to
shoulder with French President Francois
Hollande and with the people of France
in our common battle against terrorism.”
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras
said: “The terrorists will defeat us…if
they force us to abandon our values, and
lead us to a fortified Europe inhabited
by fearful peoples.”
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