Bianca Ruba | Editing Team
Due to the recent events, world leaders have reacted to the deadliest violence to strike France since World War II. Most comments are in agreement that the attacks have not only affected France, but all of humanity. They also express the unity we have shared over the past week due to the recent losses and will do anything to prevent any more attacks from occurring:
THE QUEEN:
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.”
POPE FRANCIS:
Pope Francis said he was “moved and saddened” by the attacks in Paris but confessed that “I don’t understand these things. They are difficult to understand, carried out by human beings. “The pope, speaking in a heavy and measured voice, made the comments in a phone call broadcast on the Italian Bishop’s Conference TG2000 on Saturday.
The Pope was also asked if there can be a religious justification for such attacks, Francis responded: “Religious and human. This is not human.”
Pope Francis says he was “close to the much-beloved people of France, I am close to the relatives of the victims and I pray for all of them.”
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER:
Prime Minister David Cameron says he is “shocked” by the Paris attacks and violence. Cameron said on Twitter: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help.”
U.S. PRESIDENT – BARACK OBAMA:
President Barack Obama is calling the attacks on Paris “outrageous attempt to terrorise 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. Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Ash Carter is calling the attacks in Paris “an assault on our common human dignity.” The Pentagon chief says “the United States stands with the people of France and its vibrant, multicultural democracy.” He is praising France as a NATO ally and a leader of the coalition fighting Islamic State militants in Syria.
CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU
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.”
THE UNITED NATIONS:
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is condemning “the despicable terrorist attacks” in Paris. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric says Ban “trusts that the French authorities will do all in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice quickly.” The UN Security Council also condemned “the barbaric and cowardly terrorist attacks,” and underlined the need to bring the perpetrators of “these terrorist acts to justice.”
GERMAN CHANCELLOR:
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.
CHINA’S FOREIGN MINISTRY:
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.
