UAE confirms support to France

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has reaffirmed the UAE’s full solidarity with France, a friend and strategic partner, at this difficult time in the face of the heinous crimes on Friday that claimed the lives of large numbers of innocent civilians.

He also expressed the UAE's sympathy and solidarity with the French Government and the friendly people of France in these hard times, extending his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the victims' families.

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa stressed the UAE's condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, it being a phenomenon that targets the security and stability in the world, stressing that such criminal acts require cooperation and solidarity at all levels in order that the phenomenon can be eradicated.

In his statement, Sheikh Khalifa said that the UAE is fully prepared to cooperate with the friendly country of France in all measures being taken, while, at the same time, the UAE emphasises that it will spare no effort to back all measures aimed to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations .

He also called on the international community to intensify common efforts to fight  extremism and terrorism, which, he noted, represents a common threat to all countries without distinction.

He also called on the International community to strongly unite against extremism, whether expressed through thought, through support for it or through the crimes themselves. He added that today "we stress that our religious and human values denounce extremism and terrorism and crimes committed against civilians and innocent people."

He added that, as part of  the civilised world, we believe that the concept of  humanity and peace is an overarching principle that gather us under its umbrella.

Sheikh Khalifa said that the terrorist acts that targeted the French capital, Paris, on Friday confirm the urgent need for all countries across the world to fight terrorism, whatever its source and motives.

He added that terrorism has no religion or homeland and pursues ideologies that fuel the cycle of violence, hatred and revenge and repression.

He also stressed such terrorism, which seeks to destabilise the security of France, represents a threat to all human and moral values, international laws and norms.

He added that it is a brutal and inhuman deed that represents extremism and terrorism at their very worst.

EARLIER REPORTS: Attacks condemned

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has condemned the heinous terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday.

In his cable of condolences to the French President Francois Hollande, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa expressed the UAE's condemnation of these terrorist acts and extended his heartfelt condolences to the French Government, the friendly people of France and the families of the victims, expressing his hopes for a speedy recovery by the injured.

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa expressed the UAE's complete solidarity with France at this difficult time, and its support for all measures aimed to fight and eradicate terrorism.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, sent similar cables of condolences to the French President. 

World leaders react:

President Barak Obama:

Obama is calling the attacks on Paris "outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians" and is vowing to do whatever it takes to help bring the perpetrators to justice. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Obama said he would not speculate about who was responsible. He called the attacks a "heartbreaking situation" and an "attack on all of humanity."

UN condemns ‘despicable’ terrorist attacks

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the United Nations Security Council have condemned the "despicable" terrorist attacks carried out in various locations in and around Paris. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, the Secretary-General condemned the "despicable" multiple attacks that took place in the French capital. (Wam)

US Secretary of State John Kerry:
 
Kerry is describing the attacks in Paris as "heinous, evil" and "vile," calling them "an assault on our common humanity." Kerry says the US embassy in Paris is "making every effort to account for the welfare of American citizens in the city." He says the US stands ready "to provide whatever support the French government may require."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel:

Merkel says she is "deeply shaken by the news and pictures that are reaching us from Paris." The German leader issued a statement saying her thoughts were with the victims "of the apparent terrorist attack."

British Prime Minister David Cameron:

Cameron says he is "shocked" by the Paris attacks and violence. Cameron said on Twitter: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help."

US Defence Secretary Ash carter:

Carter is calling the attacks in Paris "an assault on our common human dignity." The Pentagon chief says "the United States stands with the people of France and its vibrant, multicultural democracy."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:

"Our hearts and thoughts and prayers go out to our French cousins in this dark and terrible time," Trudeau says. He says Canada has offered "all of our help and support to the government of France."

US Attorney General Loretta Lynch:

Lynch says the US stands "in solidarity with France, as it has stood with us so often in the past." "This is a devastating attack on our shared values and we at the Department of Justice will do everything within our power to assist and work in partnership with our French law enforcement colleagues," she said in a statement.

'Appalled and outraged'

Elsewhere in Asia, where people woke up to the news from Paris, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan of Singapore, which raised its alert level, said "this is a terrible assault on a beautiful city with warm, cheerful, hospitable people".

"We must not let the terrorists divide us or destroy our spirit. I know the French spirit will prevail," said Balakrishnan, adding that he would be in Paris for global climate change talks starting at the end of this month.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino's government, which is preparing to host the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on November 18-19, said the Paris attacks demanded "heightened security from all of us".

Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke of "these tragic times for the French people" as he condemned "in the strongest ways this barbarous act."

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei added that Beijing was "profoundly shocked", saying "terrorism is a common challenge, which the whole (of) humanity is facing".

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan, condemned "this act of terror... this brutal carnage".

In New York, One World Trade Center, the skyscraper built on the site of the September 11 attacks of 2001, was illuminated in blue, white and red in tribute to the French flag.

"We are reminded in this time of tragedy that the bonds of liberte, egalite, fraternite are not just the values French people share, but we share," Obama said in Washington, referencing the French national motto.

"Those go far beyond any act of terrorism or the hateful vision of those who perpetrated the crimes this evening."

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