Government leads GCC in decrying mass murder

ABU DHABI // The UAE has led GCC countries in their condemnation of the attack in Istanbul in which scores of people were killed or injured.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation affirmed the UAE’s firm position of rejecting violence and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed the need to rally the international community’s efforts at eradicating the scourge of terrorism from its root, as it represented a great threat to global peace and stability.

“Killing or terrorising innocent people and civilians contradicts with all religious principles, moral and human values,” the ministry said in a statement.

It also expressed the UAE’s solidarity with Turkey while sending sincere condolences and solace to the victims’ families, wishing the injured a speedy recovery, reported Wam, the state news agency.

Bahrain’s ministry of foreign affairs expressed the country’s “sincere condolences and sympathy to the Turkish government and the families of the victims”.

“The ministry wishes a speedy recovery of all those injured by this heinous terrorist attack that aims to kill and threaten lives in contradiction to all religious, humanitarian and ethical values and principles,” said the Bahrain News Agency, BNA.

“The foreign ministry reiterates the solidarity of the kingdom of Bahrain with the republic of Turkey and its support to all measures it adopts to ensure its security and stability as well as to safeguard the safety of its citizens and residents. The ministry renews the kingdom of Bahrain’s rejection of the use of violence and terrorism in all their forms and manifestations, as well as calls for the international community to join efforts to eradicate this phenomenon that threatens all nations,” the statement added.

Qatar’s ministry of foreign affairs stressed the need to strengthen coordination among countries, to unite the international community’s efforts in order to ensure the eradication of terrorism and its causes.

The ministry stressed Qatar’s solidarity with Turkey.

In Washington, the White House condemned the “savagery” of the Istanbul attack, calling it “horrific”.

“The United States condemns in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist attack which has left dozens dead and many more wounded,” National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said.

“That such an atrocity could be perpetrated upon innocent revellers, many of whom were celebrating New Year’s Eve, underscores the savagery of the attackers.”

Mr Price said: “We reaffirm the support of the United States for Turkey, our Nato ally, in our shared determination to confront and defeat all forms of terrorism.”

State department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said the United States would be “in close touch” with Turkish authorities as they investigate the attack.

“Sadly, this heinous attack is only the latest effort to kill and maim innocent civilians,” he said.

“These attacks only reinforce our strong determination to work with the government of Turkey to counter the scourge of terrorism.”

The European Union strongly condemned the New Year’s Eve attack. High representative/vice-president Federica Mogherini and commissioner Johannes Hahn, said: “We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those who have been injured.

“The European Union reiterates its solidarity with Turkey and all its people. We strongly condemn all acts of terrorism and confirm our continued commitment to working with the authorities of Turkey in preventing and combtting this threats effectively.”