News / France

OIC condemns Paris attacks, urges joint action on terrorism

Sunday, 15 November 2015 1:55 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 15 November 2015 3:09 PM ]

Flowers and candles are placed outside the Le Belle Equipe restaurant along the Rue de Charonne in central east Paris, on November 15, 2015 following the terror attacks. (AFP Photo)

The world's top Muslim body has condemned the recent deadly attacks in Paris, calling for joint action against the scourge of terrorism.

Iyad Madani, the secretary general of the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), said on Sunday that he "condemned the attack in the strictest terms."

He also expressed his "firm rejection of any terrorist act" that challenges "universal human values including the values of freedom and equality that France has consistently promoted.”

Nearly 130 people were killed and 350 others injured after assailants struck at least six different venues in and around the French capital in Paris late on Friday. The Takfiri Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Madani also urged the international community to "engage in a concerted joint action to combat the scourge of terrorism which has become the arch enemy of humanity at large.”

Roses are placed in bullet holes of the window of a Japanese restaurant along the Rue de Charonne in central east Paris, on November 15, 2015, two days after deadly attacks across the city. (AFP photo)

He further "reiterated the OIC's principled and consistent position in condemning terrorism in all its forms" and its "unwavering solidarity and support for France at these critical and painful circumstances.”

Also on Sunday, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said that the bodies of 103 victims of the terror attacks were identified and that 20 to 30 more bodies will be identified in coming hours.

A number of foreigners have so far been confirmed dead following the Paris massacre. Among the victims, there were two Belgians, two Romanians, two young Tunisian sisters, two Algerians, one Briton, one Portuguese, one Spaniard, one Swede, one Turk and an American, according to the latest updates.

Flowers and shattered glass are seen at the entrance to a Laundromat near one of the attack sites in Paris, on November 15, 2015. (Reuters photo)

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve also called for an emergency meeting of EU justice and internal affairs ministers to be held on November 20 in order to discuses implementing further security measures.

"Faced with atrocities and acts of terrorism that hit France on November 13, 2015, our combat in the struggle against terrorism should, more than ever, be relentless and resolute," Cazeneuve said in a statement. The gathering will reportedly include potential changes to visa-free travel, Schengen zone.

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