World leaders condemn church blasts in Egypt

The deadly attacks on two Coptic churches during Palm Sunday celebrations in Egypt have drawn international condemnation

Pope Francis, who is due to visit Egypt this month, has condemned the deadly attack.

“To my dear brother, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, to the Coptic Church and to all the dear Egyptian nation I express my deep condolences,” Pope Francis said while he was marking Palm Sunday in St. Peter's Square. He added that he was praying for the dead and wounded in the attack.

French President Francois Hollande has expressed solidarity with Egypt following the deadly blast. “One more time, Egypt is hit by terrorists who want to destroy its unity and its diversity," he said in a statement.

Hollande extended his condolences to the families of the victims and said that, "France mobilizes all its forces in association with the Egyptian authorities in the fight against terrorism.” Germany has also condemned the bombing and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

The U.S. embassy condemned the “heinous, reprehensible terrorist attack against peaceful worshippers at Saint George’s Church in Tanta on one of the holiest days of the Christian year.” In a statement, the embassy said that the United States stands firmly with the Egyptian government and people to defeat terrorism.

On twitter, British ambassador into Egypt John Casson said, “To everyone mourning injured and & responding to the Palm Sunday attacks we share your grief. Britain stands with Egypt against hatred and & terror.”

Russian president Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, strongly denouncing the terrorist attack. He said that the terrorists aim at not only scaring people but also dividing them, adding that they will not be able to realize their aim, according to a Kremlin statement.

The Saudi Arabian foreign Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced in the strongest terms the deadly attacks on two churches in Egypt. A source at the ministry said that the cowardly terrorist attacks contradict with all religious and ethical principles, offering condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Egypt.
Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE have also condemned the attack.

King Abdullah II of Jordan strongly denounced the “cowardly” attack on Saint George’s
Mar Girgis Church in Tanta and voiced Jordan's solidarity and support with Egypt in fighting terrorism and preserving its stability, Jordanian news agency Petra reported.
The Iraqi and Libyan foreign ministries decried the attacks and offered condolences to the victims' families.

Two deadly blasts took place today in Egypt targeting two churches while Christians were celebrating Palm Sunday. The blasts left more than 40 people dead and at least 100 injured.