Dhaka-As the country has been left reeling from the deadliest-ever terror attack on a Gulshan café, world leaders and friendly countries have continued offering both of their condolences for and solidarity with Bangladesh. At least 28 people, including 20 foreigners and Bangladeshis, six attackers and two senior police officials, were killed as terrorists attacked Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant at the city’s Gulshan diplomatic zone on Friday night.
Since the end to the hostage crisis on Saturday morning, the world leaders started denouncing the grisly incident.
US President Barack Obama condemned Friday’s terror attack on Dhaka café and said the US is always ready to assist Bangladesh for eradicating terrorism and militancy. He also expressed his sympathy at the loss of innocent lives in the attack.
US Secretary of State John Kerry informed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina about his President’s view as he talked to her over phone on Sunday the evening.
In a message sent to President Abdul Hamid, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday condemned the café attack saying there can be no justification for such senseless acts of violence. “I’m deeply saddened at the loss of lives and injuries caused to innocent civilians in this dastardly attack,” he said.
“The people of India stand by the people of Bangladesh at this difficult hour and share their grief,” he wrote and prayed for the victims and their families and for the full and speedy recovery of those who have been injured.
British Prime Minister David Cameron has written to his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina reiterating his personal commitment to stand with Hasina in her fight against terrorism.
“….we all need to cooperate closely in the fight against terrorism and extremism, and addressing its root causes,” Cameron wrote in a message dated July 2.
He said as a close friend of Bangladesh, the UK is committed to working with Sheikh Hasina, and stand ready to discuss any assistance that the UK may be able to provide, according to the letter, a copy of which obtained by UNB.
The British Prime Minister said in this holy month of Ramadan, and as families are preparing to come together to celebrate Eid, all should strengthen resolve to proclaim Islam as a religion of peace and to reject those who seek to justify violence in its name.
Cameron said he was deeply shocked to hear of the attack in Dhaka. “My thoughts are with the victims and their families including the families of the brave policemen who died trying to defend those caught up in the attack.
Besides, British High Commissioner Alison Blake, her deputy Mark Clayton and staff of the British High Commission in Dhaka in a joint statement on Sunday said the United Kingdom said it stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Bangladesh in the global fight against the evils of terrorism and extremism.
They offered their deepest condolences to the families and friends of all the victims who came from so many different nationalities, and pay tribute to those in the local law enforcement, security and emergency services who worked so tirelessly to help bring this terrible event to a conclusion and help all those affected.
The government of Canada also expressed its deepest sympathies to the loved ones of the victims, including the brave officers of Bangladesh security forces.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their family and their friends. It breaks my heart to see so many people taken away from their children, their spouses, their families, and their countries. We are all poorer for this loss,” said Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Benoît-Pierre Laramée.
Besides, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a statement said they intend to continue to take all possible preparations to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens both at home and abroad.
“This matter truly grieves me deeply and I am rendered speechless to think of the regrets of the victims. This was an impermissible act of terrorism and I am profoundly outraged,” he said.
Abe said they will prepare a governmental aircraft to assist the families of the victims in arriving at the scene of the incident as quickly as possible. “Just now, I was in contact with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Seiji Kihara, who has arrived in Bangladesh,” said the Japanese Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, the Russian Federation said what happened in Dhaka once again proved that it is necessary to immediately combined efforts of all the global community to fight international terrorism.
“We’re indignant at this yet another inhumane terrorist attack, which has no justification,” according to a message received here from the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on Sunday.
Russian government expressed sincere condolences to the relatives of those killed and wished the injured quickest recovery.
Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Kristian Jensen alos condemned the terror attack in Bangladesh. “I strongly condemn the terror attack on innocent civilians that took place at a restaurant in Dhaka Friday night, where terrorists killed 20 people,” Jensen said in a statement.
“Our strongest response is to stay united and not let our democracy, liberty and way of life fall into fear and despair. I express my deepest compassion for the victims and their bereaved [family members]. They are in my thoughts,” said the Danish minister.
Besides, the UN Security Council has issued a statement strongly condemning “the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack”.
The statement issued on Saturday reaffirmed that terrorism “constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.”
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also released a statement through his spokesperson condemning the attack and expressing hope “that those behind this crime will be identified and brought to justice.”
Outgoing Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Hanne Fugl Eskjaer met Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali at his residence on Sunday.
Ambassador Hanne Eskjaer handed over a condolence message to Foreign Minister Ali from the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kristian Jensen, who strongly condemns the attack on Dhaka café.
The Ambassador expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation for all the support she received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies during her three years tenure in Bangladesh.
