July 6, 2003	Sunday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 5,1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

TEHRAN, July 5: Iran’s foreign ministry condemned on Saturday a suspected sectarian mosque attack in Pakistan as a “terrorist act”, state news agency IRNA reported.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is deeply worried about the resurgence of terrorist activities in Pakistan. We expect the Pakistani government to identify and punish the perpetrators of this crime, and put an end to these activities, which serve only the enemies of Islam and Muslims,” foreign ministry spokesman Hamid-Reza Asefi said.

“All Islamic societies in Pakistan should be alert to the real intentions of conspirators who aim to destabilize the tolerance among religious groups.”

Three terrorists, including two suicide bombers, attacked an Imambargah in the Quetta on Friday, killing at least 48.

The attack triggered violent unrest, forcing the Pakistani government to impose an indefinite curfew and deploy troops to quell the disturbance.—AFP

FRENCH CONDEMNATION: Meanwhile, France has condemned “very firmly” Friday’s attack on a mosque which took the lives of dozens of persons in Quetta, adds Paul Michaud from Paris.

According to the French foreign affairs ministry: “We present all our condolences to the families of the victims and to the Pakistani authorities.”

“This attack reinforces our resolution in the fight against terrorism. During President Musharraf’s meetings with the head of state, the prime minister and the minister of foreign affairs, France and Pakistan reaffirmed their common will to fight against terrorism whatever form it takes.”