World leaders denounce Egypt's deadly mosque attack

Beijing, November  26 (IANS): World leaders have strongly condemned the deadly terrorist attack on a mosque in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula on Friday which claimed the lives of at least 305 people.   Some 25 to 30 assailants bombed and opened fire at the mosque during Friday pryers, killing 305 worshippers, including 27 children, and wounding 128 others, according to Egyptian authorities. It was the first terrorist operation to target a mosque in modern Egyptian history, Xinhua reported.   US President Donald Trump offered condolences to the people of Egypt after the "heinous" attack.   "There can be no tolerance for barbaric groups that claim to act in the name of a faith but attack houses of worship and murder the innocent and defenseless while at prayer," said the White House.   Russian President Vladimir Putin said that "the murder of civilians in the course of an act of worship is striking with its cruelty and cynicism", and Russia was ready to further enhance cooperation with Egypt in fighting international terrorism.   Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi offering his deep condolences and sympathy to Sisi, the families of the victims and the injured.   Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned "the barbaric terrorist attack on a place of worship in Egypt", saying that "India resolutely supports the fight against all forms of terrorism and stands with the people as well as Government of Egypt".

Pray for victims of Egypt attack: Pope

Pope Francis on Sunday invited those gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray for the victims of a deadly attack on a mosque in Egypt's northern Sinai Peninsula that left 305 people dead and about 100 injured.   He recalled that the victims had been praying at the moment of the attack, and invited those gathered below to pray and observe a moment of silence in commemoration, Efe reported.   "The news of the massacre at a mosque in North Sinai caused me great pain," said the Pope, adding that he continued to pray for the victims, the injured and the religious community to which they belonged.   The Pope also touched on his impending trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh, saying that he hoped his presence there would be a sign of "closeness and hope".   The Pontiff acknowledged the victims of the Holodomor, or Great Famine (1932-33), in Ukraine, "the death by famine caused by the Stalinist regime, with millions of victims", as the Eastern European nation observed a day of remembrance.   "I pray for Ukraine, so that the strength of faith can contribute to heal the wounds of the past and promote paths of peace," he said