Islamabad: (Agencies: 2/6/2008): There was worldwide condemnation of the attack on the Danish embassy in Islamabad which was likely carried out a in revenge for controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed reprinted in Copenhagen recently probably in retaliation for threats to assassinate the cartoonist who initiated the drawings in the first place over a year ago.
Danish newspapers first published the cartoons in 2005, sparking violent protests in Pakistan and some other Muslim countries. Several dailies reprinted the sketches in February this year.
US President George W. Bush condemned the bombing and offered his condolences to the victims, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said. Pakistan has been a key ally in Washington’s "war on terror" since 2001.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon denounced the attack and "reiterates his total rejection of such acts of terrorism," his press office said in a statement.
The UN Security Council unanimously condemned the bombing in a non-binding statement.
Qatar joined other GCC and Arab countries in condemning the attack. Calling the attack an immoral violation against humans, an official statement issued by the foreign ministry the bombing goes against the Islamic creed, which advocates tolerance An official statement issued by the foreign minister-a view also voiced by the Doha-based Islamic religious authority Dr. Yusof al-Qaradhawi.
At least eight people were killed and 30 others injured in the car bomb attack. Police officials at the scene said that a Pakistani Danish embassy employee was killed in the explosion and added that three other embassy employees were among those injured.
Reports suggested that the embassy building and over two dozen cars in the embassy parking lot were badly damaged in the explosion. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.