World leaders react to Paris attacks

World Today

Photo by CFP

World leaders are reacting to the deadliest violence to strike France since World War II. Some of their comments:

Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a statement addressed to French President Francois Hollande expressing solidarity with the French people and condolences for the victims of Friday’s attack.
“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 said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei says China is “deeply shocked” by the attacks and pledged solidarity with France in combating terrorism. “Terrorism is a common challenge facing humanity. China resolutely supports France in maintaining its national security and stability and in attacking terrorism,” Hong said.

U.S.President Barack Obama is calling the attacks on Paris “outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians” and is vowing to do whatever it takes to help bring the perpetrators to justice. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Obama said he would not speculate about who was responsible. He called the attacks a “heartbreaking situation” and an “attack on all of humanity.”

U.S. President Barack Obama pauses while making a statement about multiple acts of violence in Paris in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. Obama said the U.S. is prepared to provide whatever assistance France needs in the wake of terrorist attacks in Paris that killed dozens of people on Friday night. (Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Pool) *** Local Caption *** Barack Obama *** Please Use Credit from Credit Field *** Photo via Newscom

U.S. President Barack Obama pauses while making a statement about multiple acts of violence in Paris in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. Photo by CFP.

Photo by CCTV America Joel Witte

Photo by CCTV America Joel Witte

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is condemning “the despicable terrorist attacks” in Paris. The spokesman Stephane Dujarric says Ban “trusts that the French authorities will do all in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice quickly.” The U.N. Security Council also condemned “the barbaric and cowardly terrorist attacks,” and underlined the need to bring the perpetrators of “these terrorist acts to justice.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “Our hearts and thoughts and prayers go out to our French cousins in this dark and terrible time.” He said Canada has offered “all of our help and support to the government of France.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses the media on the terrorist attacks in Paris prior to his departure for the G20 and APEC summits from Ottawa, Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. Trudeau says Canada has offered all the support it can to France following Friday's attacks in Paris. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses the media on the terrorist attacks in Paris prior to his departure for the G20 and APEC summits from Ottawa, Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. Photo by AP.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull extended Australia’s deep sympathy to the people of France. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this terrible time,” Turnbull said in a statement from Berlin. “But our solidarity is with them too. When the French people left the stadium after that shocking attack, they were not cowed. They sang their national anthem proudly and that is how all free people should respond to these assaults.” “In France, and Australia, all around the world, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of France and with all free peoples in the battle against terrorism,” Turnbull added. The Australian government said a 19-year-old Australian woman had been injured in the attacks.

Queen Elizabeth II has sent French President Francois Hollande “sincere condolences” to the people of France amid the terror attack in the French capital. The monarch and the Duke of Edinburgh said they were “deeply shocked and saddened” in a statement released by Buckingham Palace. The statement says the queen and Prince Philip “send our most sincere condolences to you, the families of those who have died and the French people.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged to work closely with the French government to help hunt for the culprits involved in the attacks and their backers. “This attack on freedom was aimed not just at Paris, it targeted and it hits all of us. That is why we must all respond together,” said Merkel, dressed in black, her voice faltering. “We, your German friends, feel very close to you. We cry with you,” she said. “We will lead this fight together with you against those who did such unimaginable things to you.” She said she would be meeting with the relevant ministers to discuss ongoing developments in France and address questions.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) signs a condolence book for the victims of deadly attacks in Paris a day before at the French Embassy in Berlin on November 14, 2015. On the back stand German Justice Minister Heiko Maas (2ndL), German Chief of Staff Peter Altmaier (3ndL), German Vice Chancellor, Economy and Energy Minister Sigmar Gabriel (4thL), German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt (3dR), German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen (2ndR) and German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere (R). The string of coordinated attacks in and around Paris late November 13, 2015 left more than 120 people dead, in the worst such violence in France's history. AFP PHOTO / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) signs a condolence book for the victims of deadly attacks in Paris a day before at the French Embassy in Berlin on November 14, 2015.  Photo by AFP

Social media was awash Saturday in the red, white and blue of the French flag as people worldwide expressed their solidarity with a nation in mourning in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Paris. Landmarks across China, New York and Australia were lit in the colors of the French flag on Saturday to show solidarity with France following the deadly attacks in Paris.
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Story from The Associated Press.