Paris attacks draw condemnation from world leaders
Calling culprits 'vile,' 'cowardly' and 'evil,' countries around the globe vow to stand with France
As Paris is left reeling from the deadliest attacks to strike France since the Second World War, leaders around the globe are offering both their condolences and their solidarity.
- Hollande blames ISIS for 'act of war' that killed 127
- Justin Trudeau says terrorist attacks 'deeply worrying'
- Witnesses describe scenes of carnage and chaos in Paris
- Photos of Paris attacks show scenes of chaos
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks Friday night by gunmen and suicide bombers who targeted a stadium, concert hall and restaurants in and around Paris, killing at least 127 people.
Many world leaders have reached out directly to French President François Hollande directly to say they stand beside him as he vows to be "merciless toward the barbarians of the Islamic State group."
Here's what they had to say.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
"These terrorist attacks are deeply worrying and obviously unsettling to people around the world," Trudeau said before leaving for the G20 summit in Antalya, Turkey.
"We have offered all of our help and support to the government of France, to the people of France at this time. And we'll continue to engage with our allies around the world in ensuring the safety of Canadians and others both here at home and around the world."
Other Canadian leaders also expressed their sympathies and solidarity with France.
Queen Elizabeth
The Queen has sent Hollande "sincere condolences" to the people of France amid the terror attack.
The monarch and her husband, Prince Philip, said they were "deeply shocked and saddened" in a statement released by Buckingham Palace.
The statement says the Queen and Philip "send our most sincere condolences to you, the families of those who have died and the French people."
European Union
The leaders of the European Union nations are calling for a minute of silence across the 28-nation bloc on Monday in memory of the victims of the Paris terror attacks.
In Saturday's joint statement, the leaders say Europeans will always remember Friday, Nov. 13, "as a European day of mourning" and invited the EU's 510 million people to mark their solidarity at noon Monday.
"This shameful act of terrorism will only achieve the opposite of its purpose, which was to divide, frighten, and sow hatred," they said. "Good is stronger than evil. Everything that can be done at European level to make France safe will be done. We will do what is necessary to defeat extremism, terrorism and hatred."
British Prime Minister David Cameron
Cameron said he is "shocked" by the Paris attacks and violence, tweeting: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help."
To the people of France, he said: "We are with you. United."
I am shocked by events in Paris tonight. Our thoughts and prayers are with the French people. We will do whatever we can to help.
—@David_CameronMy message to the French people: Nous sommes solidaires avec vous. Nous sommes tous ensemble. We are with you. United.
—@David_CameronU.S. President Barack Obama
Obama is calling the attacks on Paris an "outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians" and is vowing to do whatever it takes to help bring the perpetrators to justice.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Obama said he would not speculate about who was responsible.
He called the attacks a "heartbreaking situation" and an "attack on all of humanity."
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry
Kerry described the attacks in Paris as "heinous, evil" and "vile," calling them "an assault on our common humanity."
He said the U.S. Embassy in Paris is "making every effort to account for the welfare of American citizens in the city" and that the U.S. stands ready "to provide whatever support the French government may require."
UN Secretary General Ban-Ki-moon
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned "the despicable terrorist attacks" in Paris.
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said Ban "trusts that the French authorities will do all in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice quickly."
Pope Francis
"There is no justification for these things," Pope Francis said in an extremely sombre voice in a telephone call to an Italian Catholic television station.
"This is not human," he said, adding that he was praying for the victims, their families and all the French people.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel
"This attack on freedom was aimed not just at Paris; it targeted and it hits all of us. That is why we must all respond together," said Merkel, dressed in black, her voice faltering.
"We, your German friends, feel very close to you. We cry with you," she said. "We will lead this fight together with you against those who did such unimaginable things to you."
Russian President Vladimir Putin
In a telegram to Hollande, Putin said the attacks were "the latest testimonial to the barbaric essence of terrorism, which throws down a challenge to human civilization."
"It's obvious that an effective fight against this evil demands a real unity of the forces of the international community. I would like to confirm the readiness of Russia for the closest co-operation with our French partners in investigating the crime that took place in Paris."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu said in a statement: "Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with French President François Hollande and with the people of France in our common battle against terrorism."
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
Not everyone had warm words. Assad said the policies of some Western countries — including France — in the Middle East are partly responsible for the expansion of terrorism.
He said Syria warned three years ago what would happen in Europe if the West continued to support "terrorists" in his country.
He urged Hollande to change his policies and "work for the interest of the French people" and criticized him for ignoring that some of his allies support "terrorists" in Syria — a phrase he uses for all armed factions in Syria.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani
Ghani said in a tweet to Hollande: "I sympathize with you and your people; Afghanistan stands with France with resolve to tackle terrorism as a common enemy."
President <a href="https://twitter.com/fhollande">@fhollande</a>, I sympathize with you & your people;Afghanistan stands with France with resolve to tackle terrorism as a common enemy.
—@ashrafghaniA statement from Ghani's office quoted him as saying: "The brutal attacks in Paris prove that global terrorism does not recognize borders."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
"More than a hundred people lost their lives while they were doing what they loved, or spending time with their loved ones," Modi said in a statement.
"We feel the shock, pain and outrage of the people of France. India stands firmly with the great people of France in dealing with this tragedy. And we must stand together as humanity in combating the major global threat of our times and to uphold our values and our way of life."
Japanese and Turkish Prime Ministers Shinzo Abe and Ahmet Davutoglu
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is in Turkey ahead of a G20 meeting, observed a moment of silence together with his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu, in honour of those killed in the Paris attacks.
Abe said: "We will stand against terrorism regardless of its reasons. We will stand in solidarity with the international community to prevent acts of terrorism."
Davutoglu said his country stood "shoulder-to-shoulder" with both France and Lebanon, which suffered a terrorist attack on Thursday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping
Jinping issued a statement addressed to Hollande expressing solidarity with the French people and condolences for the victims of Friday's attack.
"At the sorrowful moment of the French people, I, on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, and personally, condemn in the strongest terms the barbaric acts."
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry
"The people and government of Pakistan wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the people and government of France. We stand with them in their hour of grief. We pray for speedy recovery of the injured," the Pakistan Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
"Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this terrible time," Turnbull said in a statement from Berlin.
"But our solidarity is with them, too. When the French people left the stadium after that shocking attack, they were not cowed. They sang their national anthem proudly, and that is how all free people should respond to these assaults."
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi
A statement from his el-Sissi's office on Saturday called for "concerted international efforts" to combat "the scourge of terrorism, which aims to destabilize security and stability in various parts of the world, without distinction."
With files from CBC News