07/07/2005

World leaders unite in condemnation of London attacks

World leaders attending the G8 summit at Gleneagles have united in condemnation of the terror attacks in London on Thursday morning.

Prime Minister Tony Blair read a joint statement from the leaders before he left the summit to return to the capital. The statement said: “We condemn utterly these barbaric attacks. We send our profound condolences to the victims and their families.

“All of our countries have suffered from the impact of terrorism. Those responsible have no respect for human life.

“We are united in our resolve to confront and defeat this terrorism that is not an attack on one nation but on all nations and on civilised people everywhere”

The G8 leaders had been joined at the Gleneagles summit by leaders of five other nations, including Brazil, India and China, for talks on climate change.

US President George W. Bush, who is attending the Gleneagles summit, said that the Prime Minister would take a “message of solidarity” back to London with him.

President Bush said: “The contrast between what we’ve seen on the TV screens here, what’s taken place in London and what’s taking place here is incredibly vivid to me. On the one hand, we have people here who are working to alleviate poverty, to help rid the world of the pandemic of AIDS, working on ways to have a clean environment. And on the other hand, you’ve got people killing innocent people. And the contrast couldn’t be clearer between the intentions and the hearts of those who care deeply about human rights and human liberty and those who kill – those of us who have got such evil in their heart that they will take the lives of innocent folks.”

President Bush said that he had been in contact with US Homeland Security and instructed them to contact local and state officials regarding the situation in London and ask them to be “extra vigilant”.

The President added: “The war on terror goes on. I was most impressed by the resolve of all the leaders in the room. Their resolve is as strong as my resolve. And that is we will not yield to these people, will not yield to the terrorists. We will find them, we will bring them to justice, and at the same time, we will spread an ideology of hope and compassion that will overwhelm their ideology of hate.”

Mr Blair is planning to return to Gleneagles later on Thursday evening.

Anyone who is concerned about relatives or friends in London can contact the emergency helpline on: 0870 156 6344.

(KMcA/GB)




Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

21 October 2003
London teachers to benefit from £1bn home fund
The education department has announced a £1 billion package to help teachers buy family homes in London. The announcement is part of a wider package, unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, to provide affordable housing for key workers, including teachers.
08 May 2009
Man Jailed For Attempted Murder Of Pc
A south London man has been jailed for 25 years for tying to shoot a policeman. Michael Mitchell, 32, of Babington Road, Streatham, was convicted of attempting to murder Pc Shaun Callow, possession of a firearm and possession of drugs with intent to supply.
20 June 2012
Cameron Confronts Argentine President Over Falklands Island
Prime Minister David Cameron has confronted Argentina’s president over her country's continued claim to the Falklands Islands. No 10 revealed that Mr Cameron spoke to President Cristina Fernandez before the first session of the G20 summit.
09 August 2013
Vans Targeting Illegal Immigrants To Be Investigated By ASA
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is to investigate vans that were driven around London encouraging illegal immigrants to "go home". The advertising vans were commissioned by the Home Office, who have claimed them to have been successful while not reporting on how many people had left the country.
07 July 2005
Religious leaders condemn London attacks
Christian and Muslim leaders have spoken out in condemnation of the terror attacks in London on Thursday morning. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, described the explosions as “appalling events” and said they had “shocked us all”.