Charlie Hebdo: Tony Abbott phones Francois Hollande over terror attack
|
Version 0 of 1. Australians need to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of France, Australia’s prime minister, Tony Abbott, has said. Abbott phoned the French president, Francois Hollande, to express Australia’s solidarity with France in the wake of the Paris terror attacks. Abbott rang Hollande late on Friday evening following Wednesday’s attack by two gunmen that killed 12 people at the offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. A spokesman for Abbott said he had told Hollande how deeply Australia grieved for the victims of the attack and he praised his leadership during a difficult time. Hollande updated Abbott on the unfolding situation as the two brothers suspected of the attack held a person hostage as police cornered them northeast of Paris. The two leaders also discussed the international terrorist threat. “Prime Minister Abbott noted that terrorism was inspired by an horrific ideology and that it was incumbent on all people, regardless of religion, to speak up for decency and do whatever was needed to combat extremism,” his spokesman said in a statement. Abbott also praised the work of the French air force carrying out air strikes as part of the international coalition in Iraq to combat the Islamic State group. “Prime Minister Abbott reiterated that Australia stands in solidarity, friendship and sympathy with the government and the people of France at this difficult time,” his spokesman said. Abbott later told Fairfax radio leaders of moderate Islamic nations must continue to denounce the actions of terrorists. “The king of Saudi has denounced Daesh in the strongest possible terms, the king of Jordan, the rulers of the UAE, the president of Egypt has been a positive bulwark against the Muslim Brotherhood and other fundamentalist groups, the religious council in Cairo has issued a fatwa against Daesh or ISIL,” he said. “This is a worldwide phenomenon and that is why it’s important for the people of Australia to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of France at this time.” |