World leaders unite to condemn attacks on Brussels

Condemning the carnage in Brussels, world leaders reacted with horror and vowed to combat terrorism, after Islamic State (IS) bombers killed at least 34 people in multiple strikes at the heart of the European Union (EU).The Brussels airport was attacked on March 22 when twin blasts rocked the departure section of the airport and the metro station killing 34 people and injuring hundreds.

Condemning the attacks, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “News from Brussels is disturbing. The attacks are condemnable. Condolences to families of the deceased. May those injured recover quickly.” He is scheduled to visit Brussels on March 30 for the India-EU summit, which is being held after four years.

US President Barack Obama and leaders across Europe condemned the heinous act of terror on Brussels and vowed to intensify counter-terror cooperation. Mr Obama said that US would do what was necessary to find those responsible. “This is yet another reminder that the world must unite. We must be together regardless of nationality or race or faith in fighting against the scourge of terrorism,” Mr Obama said. Many of the world leaders are scheduled to meet in Washington on March 31 for the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS), which would be the last nuclear summit before Mr Obama completes his tenure as President later this year.

Europe rallies behind Belgium

Europe, which was on high alert in recent times in the backdrop of the Paris attacks, condemned the attacks on Brussels and expressed support to Belgium in the fight against terror. Warning about the threats the continent faces Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron said: “We will never let these terrorists win.”

Having faced a large scale terror attack in Paris in November 2015, France’s President Francois Hollande said: “The whole of Europe has been hit.”

Extending a hand of support, Germany has said it would cooperate with Belgium’s government in any possible way to find and punish those responsible for the attacks. Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel said: “The perpetrators are enemies of all the values Europe stands for today. We together as members of the European Union declare our allegiance with great pride, to the values of freedom, democracy and the peaceful coexistence as confident citizens.”

Issuing a rare joint statement, the 28 EU leaders said that they would combat terrorism “with all necessary means” and called it “an attack on our open democratic society”.

Expressing condolences and condemning the attacks, Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said: “All Australians condemn these cowardly terrorist attacks in Brussels.”

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