World condemns Egypt blasts
2005-07-23 10:39
Jerusalem - United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice led international condemnation of wave of bombings in the popular Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh that killed at least 83 people, including foreign tourists.
"I condemn the horrific terrorist bombings in Sharm el-Sheikh, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and innocent victims from many nations who suffered in this senseless attack," Rice said ahead of a visit to the West Bank to meet Palestinian leaders.
"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," Rice added.
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan expressed his "sorrow and anger" at the bombings, which were claimed by an al-Qaeda linked group.
Tragic
"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," a UN spokesperson said in a statement.
"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," the spokesperson said.
Israel offered to send army rescue teams to the Red Sea resort on the tip of the Sinai peninsula to help emergency crews deal with the carnage.
"We forcefully condemn these inhuman acts of terrorism and the army is ready to help our Egyptian neighbours if they need it," Israeli government spokesman Avi Pazner told AFP.
Yuval Steinitz, the chairman of parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee, said that the attacks in Sharm el-Sheikh appeared to represent a major intelligence failure especially so soon after the 2004 attacks in another Sinai resort, Taba, which killed 34 people including Israelis.
Russia and Japan also condemned the bombings.
"We strongly condemn this criminal act and hope that the terrorists will be found and severely punished," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement posted on its Internet site. - AFP