France attack sparks sympathy, anger worldwide

World leaders are expressing dismay, sadness and solidarity with France over the attack carried out by a man who drove truck into crowds of people celebrating France's national day in Nice, killing at least 84 people.

• Truck plows into Bastille Day crowd in Nice
• Bastille Day celebrations were a 'family event' 
• Canadian leaders condemn 'senseless' Bastille Day attack 

Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted Canada's support for France. "Our sympathy is with the victims, and our solidarity with the French people," he wrote.

Trudeau added in a statement that Canada has offered "all possible assistance to the French government."

"Senseless acts like this one are not isolated events, and we will continue to work with our Allies and partners to fight terrorism in all of its forms."

Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion also issued a statement late Thursday saying Canada condemns this "horrific terrorist attack."

"We offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those killed and a speedy recovery to those injured. Canadians are deeply saddened by this tragedy and we stand in solidarity with the people of France on their national day."

United States

President Barack Obama condemned what he said "appears to be a horrific terrorist attack" in Nice.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and other loved-ones of those killed."

Noting that the attack occurred on Bastille Day, Obama praised "the extraordinary resilience and democratic values that have made France an inspiration to the entire world."

Secretary of State John Kerry called it a "horrendous attack in Nice. ... I was proud to stand alongside French leaders earlier today at Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, and the United States will continue to stand firmly with the French people during this time of tragedy."

Both presidential candidates also condemned the attacks, with Republican Donald Trump declaring "this is war" and Democrat Hillary Clinton vowing "we will not be intimidated.

Clinton said that "every American stands in strong solidarity with the people of France, and we say with one voice: We will not be intimidated. We will never allow terrorists to undermine the egalitarian and democratic values that underpin our very way of life."

Trump said: "This is war. If you look at it, this is war coming from all different parts. And frankly it's war and we're dealing with people without uniforms."

Britain

British Prime Minister Theresa May is calling for nations to "redouble" efforts to defeat violent extremists. She called the Nice attack "horrifying" and said Britain will stand with France in its time of mourning.

"We must redouble our efforts to defeat these brutal murderers who want to destroy our way of life," the new prime minister said.

Germany

German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged solidarity with France in the aftermath of the attack, saying "Germany stands at France's side in the fight against terrorism."

Speaking on the sidelines of a summit in Mongolia, Merkel added: "I am completely convinced that we will win this fight despite all difficulties."

Germany's Foreign Ministry flew the French flag in solidarity with its neighbour, and flags on all public buildings were ordered flown at half-staff.

Italy

Italian Premier Matteo Renzi says a response to the Nice attacks is a "moral duty" and is vowing not to leave Italy's neighbour alone. In a Facebook post, Renzi said the pain of the attacks was made worse because so many children were killed and maimed on France's national holiday.

He wrote: "We're used to seeing postcards from Nice full of beauty, not images of death with a doll near a destroyed stroller. Reacting is a moral duty."

Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he has been "shocked by the violence and exceptional cynicism" of Thursday's attack in Nice.

Although the cause of the attack has not been officially confirmed, Putin said on Friday in a message of condolences to French President Francois Hollande that terrorism can be defeated only if "all civilized mankind pulls efforts together" to fight militants, their leaders as well as targeting their financial backers "wherever they are hiding."

Putin said Russia is willing to work closely with France and other countries to fight terrorism which is "devoid of any human moral."

European Union 

European Council president Donald Tusk expressed consternation that France was attacked on its national day and said the world stands united with the French people.

"It is a tragic paradox that the victims of the attack people celebrating liberty, quality and fraternity. We will stand united with the families of victims, the French people and the government in the fight against violence and hatred," Tusk said at a meeting of Asian and European leaders in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.

NATO

NATO's chief said he was "appalled and saddened" by the attack in Nice and that alliance's other member nations "stand in strong solidarity with the people of France."

"This attack targeted innocent people and the core values for which NATO stands," alliance Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said. "But terrorism will never defeat democracy, freedom and our open societies."

China

Premier Li Keqiang said "we strongly condemn terrorism of all forms. We express our condolences to the victims and we will fight all kinds of terrorism."

Belgium

Foreign Minister Didier Reynders expressed dismay that France was once again the target of an apparent terrorist attack.

"We condemn such an attack, maybe a terrorist attack, but such an attack in France again," he said.

India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned what he called a mindless attack.

"I am appalled by the horrific attack in Nice. I strongly condemn such mindless acts of violence. My thoughts are with the families of deceased.

I hope the injured recover soon. India shares the pain and stands firmly with our French sisters and brothers in this hour of immense sadness," Modi said.

Pakistan

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the government and people of Pakistan were deeply saddened by the attack.

In a statement Friday he said "our hearts and prayers are with the victims of the attack and their families."

"Being the frontline state in the war against terror, Pakistan itself has suffered immensely and has seen a series of tragedies," he said.

Turkey

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu:

"We strongly condemn and damn the terrible terror attack that occurred in the French city of Nice. We deeply share the pain of the French people. Turkey is in full solidarity with France in the fight against terrorism. We will continue our struggle against these baseless (people) with determination. First and foremost, terrorism is the rape of humanity and universal values."

Australia

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said three Australians suffered minor injuries while fleeing the scene.

"It has shocked France, it has rocked it to its core," Bishop told reporters in the Western Australia capital of Perth. "This should have been a time of great national pride and celebration."

Bishop condemned the violence, saying it was a reminder that "no country is immune from terrorist attacks."

"We support our friends and partners in France and we join with others around the world in hoping that this will be the end of this type of horrific incident that is targeted at unarmed civilians," she said.

Kuwait

The ruler of oil-rich Kuwait has condemned the attack in Nice, France, saying it "runs counter to all religious teachings and humanitarian values."

The state-run Kuwait News Agency said the ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, sent a cable of condolence to French President Francois Hollande over the assault.

Sheikh Sabah said Kuwait "supports all measures France might take to protect its security against the terrorist acts." The Kuwaiti Embassy in Paris also urged its citizens in France to be careful while checking to make sure none of its citizens were wounded.

Tiny Kuwait faced an Islamic State group suicide attack last year during Ramadan at a Shiite mosque which killed at least 27 people and wounded 227.

United Arab Emirates

The seven sheikhdoms of the United Arab Emirates condemned the "heinous terrorist crime" that struck Nice.

In a statement Friday on the state-run WAM news agency, Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan pledged to stand with the people of France after the assault.

Sheikh Abdullah also stressed the attack "makes it imperative for everyone to work together decisively and without hesitation to counter terrorism in all its forms."

The UAE is part of the U.S.-led coalition targeting the Islamic State group and hosts American and Western military personnel involved in the fight. While its neighbours have been struck by extremist attacks, the UAE's capital of Abu Dhabi and its commercial hub of Dubai have escaped the violence.

Qatar

Tiny gas-rich Qatar has condemned the "heinous" attack in Nice, France.

A statement Friday from the peninsular nation's Foreign Ministry said the assault "is contrary to all human, ethical values and religions." It said it stood in solidarity with France after the attack.

Qatar, on the Arabian Peninsula, hosts a major American military base home to U.S. Central Command and has not faced any militant attack like neighboring Saudi Arabia. That U.S. base is involved in the battle against the Islamic State group.

Japan

Japan expressed "strong shock and anger" following the truck attack in Nice.

Japanese Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Japan also aims to strengthen its counter-terrorism measurements to ensure safety of Japan.

Suga said the government with work together with public sectors to work on "border control, strengthening security at the important locations and relevant targets, trust building and furthering interaction with the communities of foreigners (in Japan)."

South Africa

President Jacob Zuma said in a statement released by the Foreign Ministry that South Africa "stands firmly with the international community in condemning all forms of terrorism and stands in solidarity with the government of the Republic of France as they mourn the death of their citizens."

"South Africa shares in the grief of the French people and wishes the injured survivors a speedy recovery. Terrorism in any form and from whichever quarter cannot be condoned."

Spain

Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said he called his counterparts in France to express his condolences.

"We are very sorry and very much with the French people and the French government," he said in at a meeting of Asian and European leaders in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.

Israel

Israel's prime minister is condemning the "horrific" attack on revellers in Nice.

Benjamin Netanyahu says the attack was a reminder that "terrorism can strike anywhere and must be fought everywhere." He said Israel was prepared to help France "fight this evil until it is defeated."

Vatican

Pope Francis has condemned the terror attack in Nice during national Bastille Day celebrations.

The Vatican said "we condemn in an absolute manner all manifestations of homicidal folly, hatred, terrorism and attacks against peace."