PM Oli and President Bhandari condemn terrorist attacks in Paris; ISIL claims responsibility

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko kneels to mourn for the victims killed in the Friday’s attacks in Paris, France, in front of the French Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015.

Kathmandu, Nov 14: Prime Minister Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli condemned the terrorist attacks in France following the killing of more than 125 people in attacks on Friday night.

He has stated that this attack is not only on the French people, but also on the values of open, democratic and egalitarian society they have been espousing for several centuries.

In a message sent to the French President Mr. François Hollande, PM Oli has expressed his belief that such cowardly acts of terrorism can neither defeat such universal values nor dampen the spirit of French people.

Meanwhile, President Mrs. Bidya Devi Bhandari has sent a message of condolence to the French President, Mr. François Hollande.

In her message the President Bhandari has stated that the people and Government of Nepal stand by the people and Government of France in this hour of profound grief.

Islamic State claimed responsibility on Saturday for attacks that killed 127 people in Paris, saying it sent fighters strapped with suicide bombing belts and carrying machine guns to various locations in the heart of the capital.

The attacks were designed to show France would remain a top target for the jihadist group as long as the country continued its current policies, the group said in a statement. Islamic State earlier on Saturday distributed an undated video threatening to attack France if bombings of its fighters continued.

The group’s foreign media arm, Al-Hayat Media Centre, made threats through several militants who called on French Muslims to carry out attacks. The militants, who appeared to be French citizens, sat cross-legged in a group wearing fatigues and holding weapons in what appeared to be a wooded area. The video showed the militants burning passports.

World Leaders have condemned the attack and termed the attack as crime against humanity. They have pledged all their support to France at the time of grief. (Agencies)