By Xinhua
Washington : Major world powers condemned the assassination Thursday of former Pakistan prime minister and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and urged Pakistan government to ensure stability in the country.
“We condemn the attack that shows that there are people out there who are trying to disrupt the building of democracy in Pakistan,” US State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said.
US President George W. Bush, who is vacationing at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, has been informed about the situation in Pakistan, according to White House spokesman Scott Stanzel.
The White House is expected to issue a statement later Thursday.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, while condemning the assassination, said “extremism” could not be allowed to win and called for “restraint” in Pakistan.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said his government denounced the act and expressed “condolences to Bhutto’s relatives and friends”.
“Moscow reiterated that Pakistan’s authorities should do everything possible in this crucial period in order to ensure stability in the country,” he said.
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said “I express my sadness and that of the whole government following the tragic death of Benazir Bhutto, a woman who wanted to fight her battle until the end with just one weapon – that of dialogue and political discussion”.
“The difficult path towards peace and democracy in this region should not be abandoned and the sacrifice of the former prime minister … should be the strongest example for those who do not give up in the face of terrorism.”
A statement issued by French foreign ministry said Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner expressed “his deep emotion following the attack which has cost the life of Benazir Bhutto, whom he knew personally.”
“He reaffirms our country’s attachment to Pakistan’s stability and its democracy, which should be at the centre of attention for the whole international community,” the statement said.
Bangladesh condemned assassination of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto.
“It was an unpardonable crime that has shocked the world,” said Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s military backed caretaker government Fakhruddin Ahmed.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said China was shocked at the killing of Pakistan’s opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and strongly condemned the terrorist attack.
In a statement Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa expressed shock and grief at such “heinous terrorist crime.”
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan described the assassination of Bhutto as a “criminal and cowardly act.”
“The UAE is appalled by this great loss, which is not only a tragic loss for the people of Pakistan but also for the entire UAE people,” Sheikh Abdullah said.