World leaders react with horror to Nice attack

Nice: World leaders are expressing dismay, sadness and solidarity with France over the attack carried out by a man who drove truck into crowds of people celebrating France's national day in Nice, killing at least 80 people:

United States

President Barack Obama condemned what he said "appears to be a horrific terrorist attack" in Nice.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and other loved-ones of those killed."

Noting that the attack occurred on Bastille Day, Obama praised "the extraordinary resilience and democratic values that have made France an inspiration to the entire world."

Secretary of State John Kerry called it a "horrendous attack in Nice. I was proud to stand alongside French leaders earlier on Thursday at Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, and the United States will continue to stand firmly with the French people during this time of tragedy."

Both presidential candidates also condemned the attacks, with Republican Donald Trump declaring "this is war" and Democrat Hillary Clinton vowing "we will not be intimidated.

Clinton said that "every American stands in strong solidarity with the people of France, and we say with one voice: We will not be intimidated. We will never allow terrorists to undermine the egalitarian and democratic values that underpin our very way of life."

Trump, who postponed plans to announce his vice presidential pick because of the attacks, said "this is war. If you look at it, this is war coming from all different parts. And frankly it's war and we're dealing with people without uniforms."

European Union

European Council president Donald Tusk expressed consternation that France was attacked on its national day and said the world stands united with the French people.

"It is a tragic paradox that the victims of the attack people celebrating liberty, quality and fraternity. We will stand united with the families of victims, the French people and the government in the fight against violence and hatred," Tusk said at a meeting of Asian and European leaders in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.

China

Premier Li Keqiang said, "We strongly condemn terrorism of all forms. We express our condolences to the victims and we will fight all kinds of terrorism."

Belgium

Foreign Minister Didier Reynders expressed dismay that France was once again the target of an apparent terrorist attack.

"We condemn such an attack, maybe a terrorist attack, but such an attack in France again," he said.

Spain

Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said he called his counterparts in France to express his condolences.

"We are very sorry and very much with the French people and the French government," he said in at a meeting of Asian and European leaders in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.

Estonia

Prime Minister Taavi Roivs condemned "a terrible attack on innocent people celebrating their national day. Today, we all stand together with the French people."

Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the attack in Nice as an act of "monstrous evil" in a message to his French counterpart.

In a message of condolence to President Francois Hollande released by the Kremlin, Putin said he was shocked by the "savagery and particular cynicism of this crime committed on your country's national holiday," during Bastille Day celebrations.

"We have seen once more that human morality is absolutely alien to terrorism: people who are absolutely innocent become its victims, including women and children," Putin said.

The Russian leader stressed the need to "eradicate or neutralise militants and their ideologues wherever they are hiding" and promised that Russia is ready for the "closest cooperation with France and other international partners in all areas of fighting terrorism," the Kremlin said.

"Russia is in solidarity with the people of France during these difficult days," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Germany

Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged solidarity with France in the aftermath of the attack, saying "Germany stands at France's side in the fight against terrorism."

Speaking on the sidelines of a summit in Mongolia, Merkel added: "I am completely convinced that we will win this fight despite all difficulties."

On a state visit to Uruguay, German President Joachim Gauck said Friday that "the 14th of July, the day when France celebrates its national day, represents the values of the French Revolution, which are our values as well."

"An attack on France, therefore, is an attack on the entire free world," he said.

Germany's Foreign Ministry flew the French flag in solidarity with its neighbor, and flags on all public buildings were ordered flown at half-staff.

Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attack shows "terrorism has no religion, race or nationality."

Erdogan said Friday that "those who carried out this brutal incident have nothing to do with humanity. In essence these barbarians have no place in this world or should they have."

"We need to see that for the terror organizations, there is no difference between Turkey and France, between Iraq and Belgium, between Saudi Arabia and the United States."

Greece

Greece's Foreign Ministry says the attack in France targeted "the cradle of the ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity," adding that "the action of barbaric terrorism is doomed to fail."

"We express the certainty that, in spite of radical extremists, France, the beacon of the ideas of enlightenment, of democracy and of freedom will continue to ceaselessly shine its light on Europe and the World," the ministry said.

Vatican

Pope Francis has condemned the terror attack in Nice during national Bastille Day celebrations.

The Vatican said "we condemn in an absolute manner all manifestations of homicidal folly, hatred, terrorism and attacks against peace."

Israel

Israel's prime minister is condemning the "horrific" attack on revelers in Nice. Benjamin Netanyahu says the attack was a reminder that "terrorism can strike anywhere and must be fought everywhere." He said Israel was prepared to help France "fight this evil until it is defeated."

Pakistan

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the government and people of Pakistan were deeply saddened by the attack.

"Being the front-line state in the war against terror, Pakistan itself has suffered immensely and has seen a series of tragedies," he said.

Australia

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said three Australians suffered minor injuries while fleeing the scene.

"It has shocked France, it has rocked it to its core," Bishop told reporters in the Western Australia capital of Perth. "This should have been a time of great national pride and celebration."

Bishop condemned the violence, saying it was a reminder that "no country is immune from terrorist attacks."

Kuwait

The ruler of oil-rich Kuwait has condemned the attack in Nice, France, saying it "runs counter to all religious teachings and humanitarian values."

The state-run Kuwait News Agency said the ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, sent a cable of condolence to French President Francois Hollande over the assault. Sheikh Sabah said Kuwait "supports all measures France might take to protect its security against the terrorist acts."

Lebanon

Lebanon is expressing empathy with France in the face of the "cowardly" attack that struck in Nice, targeting what it called "the lung" of Mediterranean tourism.

The Foreign Ministry blamed the attack on the "terrorism beast" which struck France on its national day, a "symbolic day for the sacrifices of the French people throughout its history to build the culture of freedom, equality and brotherhood." Lebanon called for joint international efforts to stem terrorism that hit across the globe.

United Arab Emirates

The seven sheikhdoms of the United Arab Emirates condemned the "heinous terrorist crime" that struck Nice.

In a statement on the state-run WAM news agency, Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan pledged to stand with the people of France after the assault.

Sheikh Abdullah also stressed the attack "makes it imperative for everyone to work together decisively and without hesitation to counter terrorism in all its forms." The UAE is part of the U.S.-led coalition targeting the Islamic State group and hosts American and Western military personnel involved in the fight.

Qatar

Tiny gas-rich Qatar has condemned the "heinous" attack in Nice, France. The Foreign Ministry said the assault "is contrary to all human, ethical values and religions." It said it stood in solidarity with France after the attack.

Qatar, on the Arabian Peninsula, hosts a major American military base home to U.S. Central Command and has not faced any militant attack like neighboring Saudi Arabia. That U.S. base is involved in the battle against the Islamic State group.

Japan

Japan expressed "strong shock and anger" following the truck attack in Nice. Japanese Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Japan also aims to strengthen its counter-terrorism and border measurements to ensure safety of Japan.

South Africa

President Jacob Zuma says South Africa "stands firmly with the international community in condemning all forms of terrorism and stands in solidarity with the government of the Republic of France as they mourn the death of their citizens."

"South Africa shares in the grief of the French people and wishes the injured survivors a speedy recovery. Terrorism in any form and from whichever quarter cannot be condoned."

India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the deadly truck attack in France terming it as a "mindless act of violence".

He said India shares the pain and stands firmly with France in this hour of "immense sadness".

"Appalled by the horrific attack in Nice. I strongly condemn such mindless acts of violence. My thoughts are with the families of deceased," Modi tweeted.

"I hope the injured recover soon. India shares the pain & stands firmly with our French sisters & brothers in this hour of immense sadness," he added.

At least 80 people were killed when a truck ploughed into a crowd in the French resort of Nice in a "terrorist" attack on revellers watching a Bastille Day fireworks display.

Pranab Mukherjee

Condemning the attack, President Mukherjee said, "India stands shoulder to shoulder with the people and Government of France."

"I am shocked to hear about the terrorist attack on an innocent crowd of people gathered to celebrate the Bastille Day in Nice, France. I strongly condemn the perpetrators of the terrorist attack in France," President Mukherjee said in a series of tweets.