VIEWS: The 9/11 attacks and US response was a war between two fundamentalist thoughts — the rest were collateral damage

World leaders sent messages of solidarity yesterday on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, saying the attackers had failed to destroy Western values. Here are a few reactions:

Britain

“We can now say with the perspective of 20 years that they (the jihadists) failed to shake our belief in freedom and democracy,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

Queen Elizabeth II, in a separate message, said: “My thoughts and prayers — and those of my family and the entire nation — remain with the victims, survivors and families affected.”

European Union

“On 9/11 we remember those who lost their lives and honour those who risked everything to help them. Even in the darkest, most trying of times, the very best of human nature can shine through,” said Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission.

Australia

“September 11 reminded us that freedom is always fragile. As Ronald Reagan said, it ‘must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation’,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in an opinion piece.

Germany

“We have now had to recognise that although we have been able to defeat terrorism, which is endangering our security, at the present time we have not achieved all our goals,” Chancellor Angela Merkel said.