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'Dark day': PM 'saddened and angered' after deadly attacks


Published Friday, June 26, 2015 11:34AM EDT
Last Updated Friday, June 26, 2015 2:41PM EDT

As Prime Minister Stephen Harper condemned a wave of deadly attacks on three different continents Friday, Canadian officials said they were trying to determine whether any Canadians are among those killed in a Tunisian resort town.
Early-morning and midday attacks Friday in France, Tunisia, Kuwait and Somalia have left dozens dead. At least 37 people were killed after a gunman opened fire on tourists on the beach in Sousse, a coastal resort town.

Foreign Affairs says more than 800 Canadians were known to be in Tunisia, however the number is only an estimate, since overseas travel registration is voluntary.

Also on Friday, French authorities say one man was decapitated and others injured after an attack on a gas factory in southeast France. And on the same day, an Islamic State group claimed responsibility after a blast at a mosque in Kuwait’s capital killed at least 16.

Deadly incidents have also rocked parts of Somalia in recent days, as extremist group Al-Shabab vowed to step up attacks during Ramadan.
The PMO said Harper had been briefed by his national security adviser on Friday’s attacks.

In a statement, the prime minister said he was both “saddened and angered” to learn of the “heinous terrorist attacks” in France, Kuwait and Tunisia.
He expressed his condolences to the family and friends of those lost on Friday, and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
Harper added that Canada “mourns with France” and stands behind its ally on a “dark” day.

“Canadian agencies have reached out and offered French authorities our full support as they bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice,” Harper said.

Harper also said that Canada will fight the “international jihadist movement,” which has “declared war” on freedom, democracy and human dignity.
“Canada will not sit on the sidelines as this global terrorist group unleashes senseless violence on innocent civilians from Europe to the Middle East.”

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/dark-day-pm-saddened-and-angered-after-deadly-attacks-1.2441988

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