‘US stands in solidarity after attack by evil losers’ –Trump
LEADERS from around the world have condemned the terror attack at a Manchester music concert and offered their condolences to the victims.
President Donald Trump assured Theresa May in a phone call of America’s “unbreakable commitment” to the UK and offered US assistance in the investigation into the outrage.
The call came shortly after the president branded those responsible for the Manchester attack “evil losers”.
Speaking during a visit to Bethlehem, in the Palestinian West Bank, Mr Trump said: “We stand in absolute solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom.”
Many “young, beautiful, innocent people” had been “murdered by the evil losers in life”, he said.
“I won’t call them ‘monsters’, because they would like that term. They would think that a great name.
“I will call them from now on ‘losers’, because that is what they are.”
Mr Trump said terrorists and extremists must be “driven out from our society forever” and their ideology “completely obliterated”.
Pope Francis expressed his condolences to the victims of the bombing. In a telegram, he said: “His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the injury and tragic loss of life caused by the barbaric attack in Manchester, and he expresses his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this senseless act of violence.
“He commends the generous efforts of the emergency and security personnel, and offers the assurance of his prayers for the injured, and for all who have died. Mindful in a particular way of those children and young people who have lost their lives, and of their grieving families, Pope Francis invokes God’s blessings of peace, healing and strength upon the nation.”
Attending a climate change conference in Berlin, German chancellor Angela Merkel said: “It is incomprehensible that anybody could use a carefree pop concert to kill and maim so many people.
“This suspected terrorist attack will only strengthen our resolve to continue to take joint action with our British friends against those who plan and carry out inhuman acts like this.” She said her message to the people of the UK was that “Germany stands shoulder to shoulder with you.”
French president Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone with Mrs May and took the unusual step of walking to the UK embassy in Paris to sign a book of condolence.
Speaking alongside ambassador Lord Llewellyn, Mr Macron said: “After last night’s attack in Manchester, it is clearly all of Europe - all of free Europe - that has been attacked. It is European and British youth which has been attacked in its heart.
“This afternoon, we want to express above all our condolences and our feelings of solidarity and support, as well as our will to reinforce European co-operation in the struggle against terrorism. We will be determined and resolute alongside all of our European partners in the struggle against terrorism everywhere in our continent.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “We strongly condemn this cynical and heinous crime. We expect that its masterminds will not be able to avoid the punishment they deserve.”
The Kremlin said that Mr Putin had offered “sympathy and support” to the families of victims and assured Mrs May of his commitment to build up anti-terror co-operation with the UK.
China’s Xinhua news agency reported that President Xi Jinping sent a condolence message to the Queen expressing “deep sorrow to the innocent victims”.
The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, said in a letter to Mrs May: “It was with great sadness and profound shock that I learnt of the brutal attack that struck Manchester.
“It breaks my heart to think that, once again, terrorism has sought to instil fear where there should be joy, to sow division where young people and families should be coming together in celebration.
“Today we mourn with you. Tomorrow we will work side by side with you to fight back against those who seek to destroy our way of life.
“They underestimate ours and your resilience, these cowardly attacks will only strengthen our commitment to work together to defeat the perpetrators of such vile acts.”