NICE ATTACK: The suspect is a young Tunisian who arrived in France "days ago"

29/10/2020

Three people were killed in a knife attack in a Nice church on Thursday that investigators are treating as an act of terrorism, French Prime Minister Jean Castex confirmed.

Mayor Christian Estrosi said that the attacker was shot and injured by local police who were quickly called to the scene at the Mediterranean city’s Basilica of Notre Dame.

The attack comes while France is still reeling from the killing earlier this month of middle schoolteacher

At least one of the victims in Nice had been attacked “with the same method’’, Estrosi said.

Anti-terrorism prosecutors in Paris said they were taking over the investigation and treating the incident as terrorist murder.

A police source said another six victims were injured in the attack in the Mediterranean city’s Basilica of Notre Dame.

Castex, who interrupted a speech to lawmakers about a new national coronavirus lockdown due to come into effect on Friday when he heard the news, returned to the National Assembly in the early afternoon to condemn “this attack, as cowardly as it is barbarous.”

PRESIDENT AOUN in a cable to President Macron: We condemn the terrorist attack in Nice and stand by France

Muscat: President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, telegrammed French President Emmanuel Macron a message condemning the terrorist attack which occurred in the city of Nice in France before noon today.

President Aoun affirmed that Lebanon stands by France in this ordeal, offering his personal condolences and the condolences of the Lebanese to the victims, and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. - [Presidency Information Office]

Oman condemns terrorist attack in France

Muscat: The Sultanate has condemned the terrorist act that was committed in Nice, France, on Thursday, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said.

The Sultanate extends its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured, it added.

At the same time, the Sultanate expressed its solidarity with the friendly French people and the international community in rejecting or inciting all forms of extremism and practices of violence and hatred.

Kuwait Amir sends cable to French pres. on Nice attack

KUWAIT-- -- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Thursday sent a cable to French President Emmanuel Macron, voicing Kuwait's emphatic condemnation and denunciation of the dreadful crime in the French city of Nice, which left a number of people dead or injured.

In the cable, His Highness the Amir underscored that this criminal act, which targeted innocent people, runs counter to all heavenly values and religions, and international laws and norms.

Sheikh Nawaf restated Kuwait's unwavering stance that decries all forms of terrorism and extremism, while offering sincere condolences and commiserations over the victims of this odious act, and wishing mercy for the victims and a speedy recovery for those injured.

His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah voiced identical sentiments in two separate cables addressed to the French president.

Kuwait condemns Nice attack as "brutal terrorist crime"

29/10/2020

KUWAIT-- Kuwait strongly condemns the "brutal terrorist crime" that occurred at the French city of Nice, which witnessed the killing and injury of a number innocent people, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

In a statement, the ministry outlined Kuwait's "principled and firm stance against all forms of terrorism, extremism and violence, rejected by all divine religions and human values and criminalised by international laws and norms." Kuwait underlined the need to increase global efforts to reject practices that may generate hatred between peoples and fuel extremism, radicalism and terrorism.

The Gulf Arab nation went on to extend its sincere condolences and commiserations to the families of the victims and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

Hariri condemns Nice attack and Prophet's caricatures: The world needs peace and coexistence

29 Oct 2020

Lebanon - Prime Minister-Designate Saad Hariri, visited this afternoon Dar El Fatwa and congratulated the Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul-Latif Derian, on the occasion of the Prophet's Birthday. They discussed the situation, in the presence of Hariri's advisor for Islamic affairs, Dr. Ali Al-Janani.

After the meeting, Prime Minister Hariri said: "I would like to congratulate all the Lebanese on the Prophet's Birthday. It is an important day for us and for Muslims in particular. There is no doubt that the events that are taking place these days in France are unfortunate, but we condemn as well the words that were said and the caricature against the Messenger of God, peace be upon him.

The crime that took place today in the French city of Nice is very regrettable, because what is happening portrays all Muslims as if they have such an orientation while this is absolutely incorrect. There should not be any thinking, speaking or taking revenge with this logic, this is not permissible.

On the other hand, it is not permissible to issue caricatures like the ones that were published and we condemn them."

He added: "The important thing is to realize that Islam is doing fine. There are a billion and eight hundred million Muslims in the world. Islam is doing well, and if someone talks about this religion, this does not mean that Islam is not fine. Islam is fine and so are Muslims, and we must think like that. We must not think in the manner followed by some or with the logic of killing. Since our Prophet Mohammed came, peace and blessings be upon him, Islam has existed and no one will be able to eliminate him from this world."

He concluded: "We hope that all these matters will disappear because the world needs peace and coexistence." - [PM Hariri's Press Office]

BASSIL: All solidarity with France!

29 Oct 2020

Lebanon - Head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, tweeted today against the crime that occurred in Nice, France, saying: "Respecting religions is a duty, and refraining from harming their symbols is sacred. Freedom of difference of opinion is safeguarded by the laws of the earth and heaven, which prohibit the killing the soul. Do not distort religions, for they do not accept murder but rather call for mercy and brotherhood among all people. All solidarity with France...!"