PARIS // The UAE Embassy in Paris said on Friday that there were no Emiratis among the casualties in Thursday night’s lorry attack in Nice, according to the latest reports from French police.
In a statement via Twitter, the embassy urged Emiratis to fully cooperate with the French security authorities, to follow given instructions and to remain indoors unless necessary, even if they do not live in Nice.
A statement released by Wam, the state news agency, advised: “To avoid any risk across France, they should stay at their residences despite the fact that the police warning is confined to the city of Nice.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said: “I speak for all in the UAE, voicing our sympathy for and solidarity with, the families of the victims of terror in the French city of Nice.The UAE today is part of the global front against terror, steadfast in people’s desire to live in peace, stability, security and safety.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, offered words of condolence and support to the people of France.
“We stand with the government and the people of France in solidarity against the terrorist crime in the city of Nice and extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the families of the victims and good wishes for the recovery of the injured,” he said.
“The terrorist crime in Nice will not deter us from our determination to tackle extremism and terrorism. The tolerant message of Islam and humanitarian values is what guides us.”
Earlier, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, condemned the “heinous terrorist attack” and pledged to stand with the people of France after the assault, in a statement released by Wam.
Sheikh Abdullah said it “makes it imperative for everyone to work together decisively and without hesitation to counter terrorism in all its forms”.
A joint GCC statement said they strongly condemned the terrorist act in Nice.
“The Gulf Cooperation Council states stand in solidarity with the French republic following this cowardly criminal incident whose perpetrators have been stripped of all moral and human values,” said Adullatif Al Zayani, the secretary-general of the six-member bloc.
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, also denounced the terrorist attack.
Sheikh Hazza said in a tweet posted through his official twitter account that the Nice terrorist attack is more proof that terrorism has neither brain, nor heart.
“We stand together with France in sharing sadness and pain. Our hearts and sympathy go out to the families of the victims,” he added.
Other regional leaders also expressed dismay, sadness and solidarity with France over the attack, which happened on the country’s national day.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait issued separate statements condemning the “heinous” attack in Nice.
Riyadh said it stood in “solidarity” with France and will “cooperate with it in confronting terrorist acts in all their forms”.
A statement from Qatar’s foreign ministry said the assault was “contrary to all human ethical values and religions”. It said it stood in solidarity with France after the attack.
The ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, sent a cable of condolence to French president Francois Hollande over the assault.
Sheikh Sabah said Kuwait “supports all measures France might take to protect its security against the terrorist acts”.
The Kuwaiti embassy in Paris urged its citizens in France to be careful while it conducted checks to make sure none of its citizens had been injured.
The Grand Mufti of Egypt, Shawqi Allam, condemned the assailant as an extremist.
“Islam never called for the spilling of blood,” the Grand Mufti said. “People who commit such ugly crimes are corrupt of the Earth, and follow in the footsteps of Satan ... and are cursed in this life and in the hereafter.”
newsdesk@thenational.ae
* Additional reporting from Wam
