AU condemns London bombings

2005-07-08 14:34

Addis Ababa - The African Union (AU) on Friday condemned the deadly rush-hour bombings in London and said it was particularly disturbed that the attacks took place as leaders from the world's richest nations were meeting in Scotland to discuss aid to the impoverished continent.

AU peace and security commissioner Said Djinnit said: "We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks perpetrated in London yesterday."

He said: "The AU expresses its condolences to the British government and the families of victims.

"The AU takes a very strong position of rejection and condemnation of terrorism and any act of terrorism perpetrated in Africa or elsewhere in the world."

G8 industrialised nations

The four blasts on the London underground and a bus, which killed more than 50 people and wounded another 700, occurred on the first day of the British-hosted summit of the leaders of the Group of Eight industrialised nations.

The G8 leaders planned to take up ambitious proposals to boost assistance and debt relief to Africa and Djinnit said the diversion of attention from Africa's needs was troubling.

He said: "It is even more shocking to have these kinds of events while the G8 leaders are meeting to find solutions to poverty in Africa and are ready to express more solidarity towards this continent."

- AFP