World leaders condemn bombing targeting Benazir

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf (C) chairs a meeting in Rawalpindi yesterday. Musharraf telephoned former premier Benazir Bhutto to offer his condolences after a "terrorist" blast targeting her homecoming parade in Karachi. At least 138 people were killed in the suicide blast.Photo: AFP

World leaders yesterday condemned a suicide bombing targeting former Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto that killed at least 133 people, urging the country to pull together in the face of the tragedy.
The United States, which counts Pakistan as a valuable ally in its "war on terror," said the blasts aimed to stifle freedom in the country but should not be allowed to derail pending elections.
Regional powers China and India, the United Nations and the European Union also denounced the attack, which came just hours after Bhutto had returned to Pakistan after eight years of self-imposed exile.
"The United States condemns the violent attack in Pakistan and mourns the loss of innocent life there," White House national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
"Extremists will not be allowed to stop Pakistanis from selecting their representatives through an open and democratic process."
Bhutto returned to Pakistan vowing to lead her party into elections due in January after President Pervez Musharraf agreed to drop outstanding corruption charges against her.
Australia, another close US ally, said the parade attack bore the hallmarks of Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.
"It is a reminder of the evil of al-Qaeda. It is a reminder of how important it is not to concede a victory to them in Iraq or in Afghanistan," Australian Prime Minister John Howard said.
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer also suggested al-Qaeda was responsible, as it would have been "deeply offended at the possibility of a woman taking a leadership role in politics in Pakistan in a Muslim country."
China, one of Pakistan's closest allies, urged Islamabad to maintain stability.
"China sternly condemns the explosion. We hope Pakistan will maintain social stability," the official Xinhua news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao as saying.
India, which routinely accuses Islamabad of fomenting an Islamic insurgency in disputed Kashmir, added its condemnation.
"The spectre of terrorism confronting our region requires strong and determined action by all our governments," said Indian foreign ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna.
In Pakistan's neighbour Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai said the bombing against his Pakistani "brothers and sisters" showed the need for the strongest attention to the fight against terrorism.
Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, which has also suffered repeated attacks by Islamic militants including bombing Bali in 2002 and 2005, voiced its sympathy and condolences.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was shocked.
"The secretary general strongly condemns this terrorist attack and ... trusts that all political forces will act together to strengthen national unity," a statement said.
The European Union presidency also condemned the "terrorist attack" and urged the Pakistani authorities to bring those responsible to justice.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he was "appalled."
French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent condolences to victims' families and urged Pakistani authorities "to ensure that the process ahead of legislative elections is conducted in the best possible circumstances."
Japan's foreign ministry offered its "deepest sympathies" while pledging to "continue to fight against terrorism in cooperation with the international community," a statement said.
In Russia, President Vladimir Putin sent Musharraf a telegram saying the attack was a "vile crime" and confirmation of the need for global unity in the fight against terrorism," the Kremlin press service said.