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Terrorism

World leaders condemn Manchester attack

May 23, 2017

The international community has expressed its solidarity after a suicide bomber struck a concert in Manchester. At least 22 people, including children, were killed one of the UK's worst-ever terror attacks.

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Belgien EU Fahnen auf Halbmast
EU flags were lowered at half-mast to honor the victims of the attack. Image: Reuters/F. Lenoir

World leaders on Tuesday joined the chorus of  shock and horror at the suicide bombing in Manchester which killed at least 22 people, including children.

US President Donald Trump called the perpetrators "evil losers."

"I won't call them monsters because they would like that term. They would think that's a great name," Trump said. "So many young, beautiful, innocent people living and enjoying their lives murdered."

- Britain's PM Theresa May condemns 'worst of humanity'

- Manchester resilient in the face of terrorism

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday morning that such an "incomprehensable" attack would only "strengthen our determination to continue working together with our friends in the UK to combat those who plan and carry out such despicable acts."

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said it was a "brutal attack on young people everywhere.” 

"This incident, this attack, is especially vile, especially criminal, especially horrific because it appears to have been deliberately directed at teenagers,” he said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted in the hours after the attack to express "shock" on behalf of his country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was ready to boost anti-terror cooperation with Britain after "this cynical, inhuman crime."

"We expect that those behind it will not escape the punishment they deserve," he said.

Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said: "If this is a terrorist attack, such abhorrent acts of terrorism cannot be justified for any reason, and Japan firmly condemns such an act of terrorism.”

France's recently elected president, Emmanuel Macron, tweeted: "My thoughts are with the British people, the victims and their families. Together we will fight against terrorists."

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the world must stand together against terrorism. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping phoned Queen Elizabeth II to offer condolences, and the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, condemned the attack in a tweet.

cw/mz/rt (AFP, Reuters, dpa)