World leaders express shock over Paris attacks

AVRUPA TIMES/BRUSSELS-Leaders from all over the world have expressed their shock at a wave of gun-and-bomb attacks in Paris Friday night which has claimed the lives of over 125 people.Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President Mustafa Akinci said: “I share the pain of the French people”.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement: "The German government is in contact with the French government and has expressed the sympathy and solidarity of the people in Germany".

British Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "I am shocked by events in Paris tonight, our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help".

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement: "I am deeply shocked by the horrific terrorist attacks across Paris tonight", adding that: “Terrorism will never defeat democracy".

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker tweeted: "I am deeply shocked by the events in Paris. We stand in full solidarity with the people of France".

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini tweeted in French: "Trying to keep up with pain and terror events in #Paris. Europe is with France and the French people #Unis."

European Parliament President Martin Schulz also tweeted in French: "Terrible news arrived #Paris. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, our support to the authorities".

European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted: "I follow with shock the attacks in Paris. My full solidarity & sympathy with the French people and authorities".

UN chief Ban Ki-moon also condemned "the despicable terrorist attacks".

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras also tweeted: "We are watching overwhelmed. Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. In these tough times we are with the French people".

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a letter of condolence to the French president: "We are extremely angered by this horrible incident".

Georgia President Giorgi Margvelashvili said: "This is a crime against all of humanity and entire world.”

Also, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili tweeted: "Deeply shocked and saddened by Paris events. Our thoughts, prayers are with the French people in this hour of tragedy."

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said: "Terrorism is our common enemy. We are in solidarity with French people".

Iran's Rouhani postpones Europe visit

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani postponed his visit to Europe, including France after Paris deadly attacks, according to Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

IRNA quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif as saying: “It is better now to focus on fighting terrorism and President Rouhani's trip to Europe will happen in near future”.

Balkans leaders stand with France

Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga said in a Facebook post: “Shocked by the terror attacks in Paris and with the loss of many innocent lives in these attacks. We share the pain with France and stand by French people against terrorism”.

Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa said in a statement on Saturday: “In these difficult moments, we share the pain with French people and institutions, but also with all democratic world, which must powerfully mobilize to defeat the evil that is threatening humanity”.

Albanian President Bujar Nishani in a message to French President Francois Hollande said that he “strongly condemn these barbarian terrorist and extremist acts that aim to scare and terrorize not only France and the French people, but the entire civilized and democratic world”.

Macedonian President, Gjorge Ivanov said: “We will not allow that terrorists to sow the seeds of fear, extremism and chaos in Europe”.

Albanian PM Edi Rama said in Facebook post: “It is a true war! Albania totally supports France and its government in these moments of horror and mourning. Long Live France”.

Serbian and Montenegrin Prime Ministers Aleksandar Vucic and Filip Vujanovic sent condolence messages to French Prime Minister Manual Valls.

"It is an attack towards all of us and on to the achievements of modern civilization,” Vucic said.

Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Chairman Denis Zvizdic also condemned the attack on behalf of Bosnians. "I am convinced that now, more than ever, we must all be united against all forms of terrorism and to continue the fight for the preservation of peace and security in the world," Zvizdic said.

Arab leaders react

Many Arab countries also condemned the Paris attacks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said that Israel stands shoulder-to-shoulder with France in its war against terrorism. Netanyahu also ordered flags on government’s and at the country's embassies around the world to be lowered to half-mast in solidarity with France.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas offered his condolences to Hollande and expressed sympathy for families of the victims of the terror attacks, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Iraqi Kurdish regional government's leader Masoud Barzani also condemned the attacks. "Terror is a common enemy of humanity," Barzani said in his letter of condolence.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi ordered his Egyptian ambassador in Paris to personally deliver his condolences to the French government and its people as well as asserting on solidarity with France and international efforts to combat terrorism.

Jordanian government spokesman and Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani said that Jordan stands with the French people in confronting terrorism and called on the international community to stand and cooperate to combat terrorism and extremism.

Qatari Foreign Ministry said in a statement Saturday that the attacks aim to destabilize security and contradicts all principles of morality and humanitarian values.

Kuwaiti Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah sent his condolences to French President Francois Hollande and said that the criminal act contradicted religions and humanitarian values.

Saudi Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the terrorist attacks and offered condolences to France.

Morroco’s Mohammed VI expressed solidarity with France and offered condolences on behalf of the Moroccan people.

Asia Pacific leaders condemn attacks

Chinese President Xi Jinping and premier Li Kequiang expressed deep condolences for the victims of the 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 Jinping said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting the U.K., tweeted "We are united with people of France in this tragic hour".

Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it stood with France in its hour of grief and reiterated its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Australia's Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove said in a press statement Saturday that Australia condemned "in the strongest possible terms, those who seek to interrupt our peaceful way of life".

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull sent a social media message, saying: "Australians' thoughts, prayers and resolute solidarity with people of France as they respond to brutal terrorist attacks in Paris tonight".

New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key, whose daughter was in Paris at the time, was quoted by the New Zealand Herald as saying: "It's a tragic day for the people of France and for any of the families of the victims involved. Our hearts go out to those involved and our thoughts with them and their families".

Indonesian President Joko Widodo also expressed his condolences, underlining the need for international cooperation in handling terrorism issues, according to the Jakarta Post.