ISLAMABAD, July 28: Pakistan on Thursday strongly condemned the killing of two Algerian diplomats in Baghdad by Iraqi insurgents and expressed its deep sense of shock. “Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri on behalf of the government of Pakistan has expressed deep sense of shock at the brutal murder of Algerian Charge d’Affaires Ali Belaroussi and Attache Azzedine Belkadr at the hands of Iraqi insurgents,” a foreign office spokesman said here on Thursday.

“The government strongly condemns this act of terrorism and the people of Pakistan share the grief and sorrow of their Algerian brothers,” he added. The foreign minister held out assurance that Pakistan stood for Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and was committed to extending all possible support to the people of Iraq.

“The government of Pakistan will continue to work closely with the international community in the fight against terrorism and in alleviating the sufferings of the Iraqi brothers,” the statement said.—Q.A.