World leaders condemn the mass shooting in Orlando

Members of the international community have sent condolences to the American people over the tragic mass shooting in the city of Orlando, Florida, on Sunday and condemned the horrific terror attack.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, on Monday to offer condolences over the deadly mass shooting.

On behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, Xi expressed deep sympathy and sincere condolences to Obama, the U.S. government and the American people. He also expressed grief to the victims.

The United Nations Security Council on Monday condemned "in the strongest terms" the mass shooting in Orlando, which it said targeted "persons as a result of their sexual orientation."

"The members of the Security Counci reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed," said French Ambassador Francois Delattre, Security Council president for June.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Monday condemned the "cold-blooded and senseless murder" of a Canadian citizen by radical militant group Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines.

In a statement he said Canada is committed to bringing those terrorists responsible for the death of Robert Hall to justice.

He also expressed his "heartfelt condolences" to the family and friends of Hall.

Hall has been held since Sept. 21, 2015, along with former mining executive and his fellow Canadian John Ridsdel, who was killed by the group last April. Ridsdel and Hall were abducted from a seaside resort along with a Filipino woman and a Norwegian man.

Canadian officials and civilians condemned Sunday the worst mass shooting in U.S. history earlier in the morning that killed at least 50 people and injured 53 others at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

Canada's Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale wrote on Twitter that he is "shocked by the mass shooting, and that Canadians condemn such brutal violence."

Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan wrote "Standing united with the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community there and around the world."

French President Francois Hollande on Sunday condemned "with horror" the Orlando nightclub shooting in the United States that killed at least 50 people.

Hollande expressed the full support of France and the French authorities to the the American people, his office the Elysee said in a statement.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault also expressed condolences to the families of the victims and those injured.

Singapore on Monday strongly condemned the "heinous attack" at a nightclub in U.S. city of Orlando, which left at least 50 people dead and 53 others wounded.

"There can be no justification for such actions," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement on Monday.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday condemned the mass shooting at a nightclub in the U. S. city of Orlando, which left at least 50 people dead and 53 others wounded.

"As head of government and representative of the people of Pakistan, I am deeply saddened by the gruesome act of terrorism in Orlando, Florida," Nawaz Sharif said.

"No innocent man, woman or child should ever feel afraid of being shot or killed for being who they are in a progressive and democratic society," the Pakistani prime minister said in a statement.

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Monday strongly condemned a shooting incident in United States city of Orlando, which reportedly left 50 people dead and more than 50 others injured.

"I unequivocally condemn the horrific attack in Orlando, Florida, USA. Nothing can justify killing of civilians," the Afghan leader said in his twitter account.

Afghan president also conveyed his deepest condolences to the U. S. government, families and friends of those who have lost their lives in the attack and wished those injured an early recovery.

The Greek Foreign Ministry has condemned the Orlando mass shooting which resulted in at least 50 deaths and injured more than 50 on Sunday, expressing condolences to the victims' families and the American people.

"We express our unequivocal condemnation and abhorrence of the deadly attack that took place in Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. and which resulted in the tragic deaths of dozens of innocent victims," the Foreign Ministry said in press statement.

"We express our condolences and support to the U.S. government and our friends, the American people. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims," the statement said.

Malaysian government on Monday condemned the shootings in Orlando, Florida, the deadliest in U.S. history.

"Malaysia strongly condemns the shooting incident in Orlando, Florida on June 12, which killed 50 people, and injured as many as 53 others," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The government of Malaysia extends its condolences to the government and people of the United States of America, and particularly to the families of the victims," it said.

Condolences also poured in from many countries such as France, Germany, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore and Israel, among others. They also condemned the attack.

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Sunday expressed his horror.

He tweeted: "I'm horrified by reports of the overnight shooting in Orlando. My thoughts are with the victims and their families."

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond also tweeted, "Shocked by shooting in Orlando." He noted that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is in contact with the local authorities.

Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen on Sunday night condemned the shooting.

"It is clear that we have witnessed a vicious attack on the right to be who you are, on the right to love the person you love," Rasmussen said in a statement.

"Too many innocent people have lost their lives in Orlando because liberality and tolerance has been met with hatred," he said.

He also expressed his condolences to, and solidarity with, the American people. "Rather than dividing us, it will unite us. We will protect the values our society is built upon: the freedom to live the life you want."

Rasmussen said the United States has Denmark's full support, saying that "we Danes stand shoulder to shoulder with Americans in their grief."

The Greek Foreign Ministry also condemned the Orlando mass shooting and expressed condolences to the victims' families and the American people.

"We express our unequivocal condemnation and abhorrence of the deadly attack that took place in Orlando, Florida, USA. and which resulted in the tragic deaths of dozens of innocent victims," the Foreign Ministry said in press statement.

"We express our condolences and support to the U.S. government and our friends, the American people. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims," the statement said.

(APD)