UK, world leaders blast ‘shocking’ London terror attacks
Foreign leaders offer condolences, support after 7 killed, dozens injured in car-ramming and stabbing
British and world leaders on Sunday condemned the terror attacks in Central London which left seven dead and nearly 50 wounded, reacting with both outrage and solidarity.
The assault began Saturday night when a van veered off the road and barreled into pedestrians on London Bridge. Three men fled the van with large knives and attacked people at bars and restaurants in nearby Borough Market, police and witnesses said. Nearly 50 people were treated at London hospitals and a number of others suffered less serious injuries.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the attack was “a deliberate and cowardly attack on innocent Londoners and visitors to our city enjoying their Saturday night,” adding: “There is no justification whatsoever for such barbaric acts.”
British Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed the “terrible incident in London” was being treated as “a potential act of terrorism” and said she would hold emergency ministerial talks later in the day.
Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn called the deadly stabbing and car-ramming spree “brutal and shocking,” and offered condolences to victims and their families.
Both parties suspended their election campaigns in the wake of the attack, which comes days before the general election.
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the London attack and sent “profound condolences” to the British people, the Kremlin said Sunday.
“Putin expresses his profound condolences for the British people and condemns the terrorist attack carried out hours ago in London,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump expressed solidarity with the UK, tweeting early Sunday morning that “whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the UK, we will be there – WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS!”
Trump seized the opportunity to lobby in favor of his controversial travel ban, which has been struck down by US courts. In a series of tweets, Trump said: “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!”
The US State Department condemned the assaults as “cowardly attacks targeting innocent civilians” and said the US “stands ready to provide any assistance authorities in the United Kingdom may request.”
US pop star Ariana Grande, whose concert in Manchester last month was the scene of a deadly suicide bombing, tweeted simply: “Praying for London.”
European leaders were also quick to offer condolences and express solidarity with the UK in the wake of the deadly attacks.
European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said he was following the latest developments from London “with horror,” adding that his “thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Please stay safe.”
Newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron said that “in the face of this new tragedy, France is more than ever at Britain’s side,” while Chancellor Angela Merkel similarly asserted that Germany was “resolutely at Britain’s side” in its fight against terrorism.
Macron said some French nationals were among the casualties of the attack.
“Today we are united across borders in horror and mourning, but also in determination,” Merkel said in a statement. “For Germany, I reiterate that in the fight against all forms of terrorism, we are resolutely at Britain’s side.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman condemned the attack, saying the increasing number of terror-related incidents is “an alarming signal for the global community,” according to state-run news outlets.
Bahram Ghasemi in a statement condemned terrorism in “all shapes and aspects regardless of purpose and motive.”
In Australia, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull offered up “prayers and resolute solidarity” with the people of Britain in the face of the “shocking” attacks in London.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Bill English also expressed sorrow at the attack, saying that “too many lives are being taken by terrorists set on inflicting pain and suffering on innocent people.”
The Times of Israel Community.