Sharm al-Sheikh

World leaders and other international figures have condemned the killing of dozens of people in bomb attacks at the Egyptian resort of Sharm al-Sheikh.

US WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT

The United States stands firmly with the people of Egypt at this time of national mourning.

The United States stands ready to assist the government of Egypt in helping the victims and bringing the perpetrators of these acts to justice. Standing together with the rest of the civilized world, we will win the conflict against this global scourge.


US SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE

I condemn the horrific terrorist bombings in Sharm al-Sheikh. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and innocent victims from many nations who suffered in this senseless attack.

At this difficult time of testing, the United States stands with our friend and ally Egypt. Together we will confront and defeat this scourge that knows no boundary and respects no creed.


UK FOREIGN SECRETARY JACK STRAW

Almost certainly, they (the bombers) are evil people who will claim, wrongly, to have done this in the name of Islam...

It's another terrible terrorist atrocity... It shows that the fight against this terrorism is international.

I've spoken this morning to my colleague the Egyptian foreign minister to assure him of our full support and our full solidarity with the Egyptian people and the Egyptian government. Their fight is ours, our fight is theirs.


IRAQI GOVERNMENT STATEMENT

"We wish the Egyptian armed forces success in fighting the cancer of terrorism, which threatens the peace of the entire world, and the mistaken ideas which lie behind it.

All governments and responsible people in the world should condemn terrorism and stand together to fight it.


RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN

In carrying out one serious crime after another - in Russia, Britain, Egypt and other countries - international terrorism is attempting to compel the civilised world to live in an environment of universal fear and violence. Cohesion and unity of action to repel this barbaric threat can be the only response to these challenges to mankind.

I am certain that the best qualities of the Egyptian people - courage, firmness of spirit and resilience - will come to the fore at this difficult moment. Please convey my profound sympathy and words of support to the families and friends of the dead and wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.


SPOKESMAN FOR FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC

[President Chirac] vigorously condemns these attacks and reaffirms France's absolute determination to fight this scourge of terrorism which nothing could justify.


SPOKESMAN FOR UN SECRTARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN

The Secretary General has reacted with sorrow and anger to the news of the multiple car bombs in the Sinai peninsula, which have cruelly struck the brave Egyptian nation on its National Day.

Once again, in this tragic month, he condemns the use of terror and indiscriminate violence against civilians, which no cause or belief can possibly justify. He sends his condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, and to the people and government of Egypt, as well as all other countries whose citizens have been killed or injured.


IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN HAMID REZA ASEFI

The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the bombings in Sharm al-Sheikh. We extend our sympathy to the families of the victims and the countries which have suffered including Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Netherlands, Britain and others.

We strongly condemn such actions - using terrorism to achieve one's goals.


AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI

Terrorism is the enemy of Islam, as much as the enemy of any other faith. It is the enemy of humanity. I call once again on all nations to come together and decisively fight this menace to its roots.

The people of Afghanistan extend their deepest sympathies to the victims of this attack, and to the Government and people of the brotherly nation of Egypt.

This incident reminds us that terrorism continues to pose threat to the peace and prosperity of all nations in the world. It is imperative on the international community, to step up the struggle against this menace until it is decisively defeated from the face of the earth. Afghanistan stands in firm solidarity with those countries that are affected by and are fighting terrorism. We will play our full part in this fight.


SPOKESMAN FOR JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTRY

Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason, and the government of Japan firmly condemns atrocious terrorism that victimises many innocent people.