By Xinhua,
Damascus : Syrian President Bashar al-Assad condemned on Sunday the terrorist attack in the Pakistani capital Islamabad that killed dozens of civilians on Saturday evening, the official SANA news agency reported.
President Assad made the condemnation in a telegram he sent to his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari, SANA said.
In the telegram, Assad expressed his deep grief and offered his condolences to Zardari, the friendly people of Pakistan and the families of the victims. He also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
A huge truck bomb exploded at the entrance to the Marriott Hotel in the center of Islamabad on Saturday evening, killing 53 people and injuring over 250 others. The death toll may rise as some people are still trapped inside the six-story hotel.
The blast came just hours after Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari vowed to firmly fight against terrorism and extremism while addressing a joint session of the parliament.