07/07/2005

World leaders unite in condemnation of London attacks

World leaders attending the G8 summit at Gleneagles have united in condemnation of the terror attacks in London on Thursday morning.

Prime Minister Tony Blair read a joint statement from the leaders before he left the summit to return to the capital. The statement said: “We condemn utterly these barbaric attacks. We send our profound condolences to the victims and their families.

“All of our countries have suffered from the impact of terrorism. Those responsible have no respect for human life.

“We are united in our resolve to confront and defeat this terrorism that is not an attack on one nation but on all nations and on civilised people everywhere”

The G8 leaders had been joined at the Gleneagles summit by leaders of five other nations, including Brazil, India and China, for talks on climate change.

US President George W. Bush, who is attending the Gleneagles summit, said that the Prime Minister would take a “message of solidarity” back to London with him.

President Bush said: “The contrast between what we’ve seen on the TV screens here, what’s taken place in London and what’s taking place here is incredibly vivid to me. On the one hand, we have people here who are working to alleviate poverty, to help rid the world of the pandemic of AIDS, working on ways to have a clean environment. And on the other hand, you’ve got people killing innocent people. And the contrast couldn’t be clearer between the intentions and the hearts of those who care deeply about human rights and human liberty and those who kill – those of us who have got such evil in their heart that they will take the lives of innocent folks.”

President Bush said that he had been in contact with US Homeland Security and instructed them to contact local and state officials regarding the situation in London and ask them to be “extra vigilant”.

The President added: “The war on terror goes on. I was most impressed by the resolve of all the leaders in the room. Their resolve is as strong as my resolve. And that is we will not yield to these people, will not yield to the terrorists. We will find them, we will bring them to justice, and at the same time, we will spread an ideology of hope and compassion that will overwhelm their ideology of hate.”

Mr Blair is planning to return to Gleneagles later on Thursday evening.

Anyone who is concerned about relatives or friends in London can contact the emergency helpline on: 0870 156 6344.

(KMcA/GB)




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