United by sorrow, world condemns Orlando shooting rampage as ‘inexcusable act of inhumanity’
From China to Russia, from Buckingham Palace and the Vatican, world leaders and public figures have expressed horror at the shooting in Orlando, Florida, and sympathy for the victims.
Tel Aviv’s City Hall was lit up in rainbow colours and with the American and Israeli flags in solidarity, while groups of people gathered in cities including Madrid, Rome, Paris and Sao Paolo holding banners and rainbow flags, and lighting candles.
On behalf of the government and people of China, I convey to President Obama and the American government and people my deepest sympathies, sincere condolences and deep grief for the victims
China’s official Xinhua News Agency issued a statement saying President Xi Jinping had telephoned his American counterpart Barack Obama to express his condolences over the Orlando shootings.
Xi was quoted as saying that “on behalf of the government and people of China, I convey to President Obama and the American government and people my deepest sympathies, sincere condolences and deep grief for the victims”.
But some of the strongest comments came from Pakistan and Afghanistan, two countries that have suffered hugely from extreme Islamist terrorism - although Pakistan is also accused of simultaneously supporting radical groups fighting in neighbouring India and Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said he was deeply saddened by what he called a “gruesome act of terrorism” and an “inexcusable act of inhumanity”.
