NICE, FRANCE // World leaders are expressing dismay, sadness and solidarity with France over the attack carried out by a man who drove lorry into crowds of people celebrating France’s national day in Nice, killing at least 84 people.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said the UAE condemned the “heinous terrorist crime” that struck Nice and pledged to stand with the people of France after the assault, in a statement carried by WAM, the state news agency.
Sheikh Abdullah also stressed the attack “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,” the six-member bloc’s secretary general, Abdullatif Al Zayani, said.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait issued separate statements condemned the “heinous” attack in Nice.
Riyadh said it stands in “solidarity” with France and will “cooperate with it in confronting terrorist acts in all their forms.”
A statement from the Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the assault “is contrary to all human, ethical values and religions.” It said it stood in solidarity with France after the attack.
Kuwait’s ruler, 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 also urged its citizens in France to be careful while checking to make sure none of its citizens were wounded.
The Grand Mufti of Egypt, Shawqi Allam, condemned the assailant as an “extremist” who “follows in the footsteps of the devil”.
“Islam never called for the spilling of blood,” the Grand Mufti said in a statement. “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.”
US president Barack Obama condemned what he said “appears to be a horrific terrorist attack” in Nice.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and other loved-ones of those killed.”
Noting that the attack occurred on Bastille Day, Mr Obama praised “the extraordinary resilience and democratic values that have made France an inspiration to the entire world.”
US secretary of state John Kerry called it a “horrendous attack in Nice ... I was proud to stand alongside French leaders earlier today at Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, and the United States will continue to stand firmly with the French people during this time of tragedy.”
Both presidential candidates also condemned the attacks, with Republican Donald Trump declaring “this is war” and Democrat Hillary Clinton vowing “we will not be intimidated”.
Mrs Clinton said that “every American stands in strong solidarity with the people of France, and we say with one voice: We will not be intimidated. We will never allow terrorists to undermine the egalitarian and democratic values that underpin our very way of life.”
Mr Trump, who postponed plans to announce his vice presidential pick because of the attacks, said “this is war. If you look at it, this is war coming from all different parts. And frankly it’s war and we’re dealing with people without uniforms”.
In Europe, the European Council president Donald Tusk expressed consternation that France was attacked on its national day and said the world stands united with the French people.
“It is a tragic paradox that the victims of the attack people celebrating liberty, quality and fraternity. We will stand united with the families of victims, the French people and the government in the fight against violence and hatred,” Mr Tusk said at a meeting of Asian and European leaders in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.
Germany “stands alongside France in the fight against terrorism,” Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday.
“We are all united in shock,” Mrs Merkel said on the sidelines of the two-day Asia-Europe summit adding that “words can barely express” what France’s allies felt.
Belgian foreign minister Didier Reynders expressed dismay that France was once again the target of an apparent terrorist attack.
“We condemn such an attack, maybe a terrorist attack, but such an attack in France again,” he said.
Spanish foreign minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said he called his counterparts in France to express his condolences.
“We are very sorry and very much with the French people and the French government.”
Russian president Vladimir Putin said he has been “shocked by the violence and exceptional cynicism” of Thursday’s attack in Nice.
Mr Putin said on Friday in a message of condolences t that terrorism can be defeated only if “all civilized mankind pulls efforts together” to fight militants, their leaders as well as targeting their financial backers “wherever they are hiding”.
Mr Putin said Russia is willing to work closely with France and other countries to fight terrorism which is “devoid of any human moral.”
Chinese premier Li Keqiang said “we strongly condemn terrorism of all forms. We express our condolences to the victims and we will fight all kinds of terrorism.”
India’s prime minister Narendra Modi called it a mindless attack.
“I am appalled by the horrific attack in Nice. I strongly condemn such mindless acts of violence. My thoughts are with the families of deceased.
“I hope the injured recover soon. India shares the pain and stands firmly with our French sisters and brothers in this hour of immense sadness,” Mr Modi said.
Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif said the government and people of Pakistan were deeply saddened by the attack.
He said “our hearts and prayers are with the victims of the attack and their families”.
“Being the front line state in the war against terror, Pakistan itself has suffered immensely and has seen a series of tragedies.”
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said three Australians suffered minor injuries while fleeing the scene.
“It has shocked France, it has rocked it to its core,” Ms Bishop told reporters in the Western Australia capital of Perth.
“This should have been a time of great national pride and celebration.”
Ms Bishop condemned the violence, saying it was a reminder that “no country is immune from terrorist attacks.”
“We support our friends and partners in France and we join with others around the world in hoping that this will be the end of this type of horrific incident that is targeted at unarmed civilians,” she said.
* Agencies