Words of condolence and condemnation came swiftly from world leaders this weekend following a terror attack in London on Saturday night that left seven killed and wounded dozens more, many critically. One Canadian was also killed in the attack.
鈥淲e grieve with the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones, and wish all those injured a speedy and full recovery,鈥� Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement released Sunday. 鈥淐anadians stand united with the British people. We will continue to work together with the United Kingdom and all our allies to fight terrorism and bring perpetrators to justice.鈥�
Please read my statement on the terrorist attack last night in London, which claimed the life of a Canadian:
鈥� Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau)
That sentiment was echoed by opposition leader Andrew Scheer in several posts to and .
鈥淭his is yet another reminder that we live in dark and dangerous times,鈥� Scheer said in one social media post. 鈥淲e must not allow random acts of terror to become the new normal. I do not want to see my children grow up in a world where they are afraid to go to the mall, or a concert, or travel the world. This is why Canada, and our allies, must be fully committed to confronting and destroying this terrorist threat.鈥�
NDP leader Tom Mulcair also turned to Twitter to offer his sympathy.
Our love to the families of the murdered and victims of the London attack - we stand with the UK during this difficult time.
鈥� Tom Mulcair (@ThomasMulcair)
Whereas most world leaders offered sympathy and support, U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to . Trump posted following the attack, only one of which offered assistance to the U.K. The others criticized political correctness and London鈥檚 mayor and promoted gun rights as well as his much-maligned travel ban.
At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is "no reason to be alarmed!"
鈥� Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
We need to be smart, vigilant and tough. We need the courts to give us back our rights. We need the Travel Ban as an extra level of safety!
鈥� Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)
London Mayor Sadiq Khan鈥檚 office dismissed the criticism, stating that the mayor 鈥渉as more important things to do than respond to Donald Trump's ill-informed tweet that deliberately takes out of context his remarks urging Londoners not to be alarmed when they saw more police -- including armed officers -- on the streets."
The responses from several other world leaders are as follows:
EUROPE
Following Mass on Sunday, Pope Francis asked for prayers for the London attack鈥檚 victims and their families. The Holy Spirit, the pontiff said, "grants peace to the whole world and heal the wounds of war and of terrorism, which also last night, in London, struck innocent victims."
French officials confirmed that a French citizen was among the dead and another was wounded. President Emmanuel Macron denounced the attack as 鈥渁bominable and cowardly鈥� and vowed to continue combatting "terrorism with all our strength alongside Britain and all other countries concerned."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also said that her government would work with the U.K. to fight terrorism.
鈥�(T)oday we are united beyond all borders in horror and sorrow, but also in determination,鈥� she said in a statement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the attack 鈥渟hocking in its cruelty and cynicism鈥� in a note sent to British Prime Minister Theresa May. Putin also said, 鈥渢hat the response to the incident should be the escalating of joint efforts in the fight against the forces of terror around the world.鈥�
THE MIDDLE EAST
The leaders of the fractious Middle East were united in their denunciations of the attack.
鈥淲e condemn it, we send our condolences to the British people, and we pledge our commitment to fight this scourge -- this scourge that knows no bounds鈥� Israeli Prime Minister said from a summit in Liberia. 鈥淭hese terrorists worship death, they murder indiscriminately, but they will not frighten us. They will not terrorize us -- they will only harden our resolve to defeat them.鈥�
The foreign ministries of archrivals Iran and Saudi Arabia both issued statements condemning the attack. So did Turkey鈥檚 foreign ministry, which said in a statement that as "Turkey and the Turkish people, who have been subjected to similar attacks many times, we understand and share the pain of the people of the United Kingdom."
ASIA
As the Philippines battles a fierce domestic insurgency from an ISIS-linked group, a spokesperson for President Rodrigo Duterte said that 鈥渁cts such as these touched not only the people of London, they also touched all peace-loving people in the global community.鈥�
Indonesia, which is also battling Muslim militants on its soil, condemned the attack as well.
On , Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said 鈥淎ttacks in London are shocking & anguishing. We condemn them. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured.鈥�
With files from The Associated Press
