World reacts to Orlando nightclub massacre

From across the world, officials and public figures are expressing condemnation and shock over the Florida mass shooting at the Pulse Orlando nightclub on Sunday when police say a gunman wielding an assault-type rifle opened fire, killing at least 49 people and wounding dozens.

France

The Eiffel tower was to illuminated in the colors of a rainbow on Monday night to honor the victims of the mass shooting at the Orlando gay club. Paris City Hall was to pay its respects as well, with American and rainbow flags flying.

France feels deeply the horror of deadly attacks after the November terror attacks in Paris on a music hall, restaurants and bars and the main sports stadium killed 130. That was preceded by attacks on a satirical newspaper and a kosher grocery store. All were claimed by the Islamic state of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

While the perpetrators of those Paris attacks did have links to, and in some cases received support from ISIS, there has been no indication as yet that Orlando gunman Omar Mateen had any connection deeper than ideological inspiration with the terror group.

Britain

Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister David Cameron sent messages of condolence from Britain for the attack.

Buckingham Palace said the queen had sent a message to President Obama saying: "Prince Philip and I have been shocked by the events in Orlando. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected."

J.K. Rowling said one victim of the Orlando killings worked on the Harry Potter Ride at the Universal Studios theme park.

The author tweeted a picture of 22-year-old Luis Vielma in a Hogwarts school tie, and said: "I can't stop crying."

Germany

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says it's important to continue with "our open, tolerant life" following attacks such as the mass shooting at an Orlando gay club.

Speaking during a visit to China on Monday, Merkel said that "we have a heavy heart" over the fact that "the hatred and malignancy of a single person cost over 50 people their lives."

She added: "We are firmly determined, even when such murderous attacks put us into deep sorrow, to continue with our open, tolerant life."

Israel

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin says in a letter to President Obama that Israel stands "shoulder to shoulder with our American brothers and sisters" after the attack on the LGBT community. Rivlin sent his condolences, saying there is "no comfort for those who have had their loved ones torn away from them."

The Orlando attack has dominated news in Israel, which has seen a wave of Palestinian attacks in recent months. On Wednesday two Palestinian gunmen killed four people at a popular shopping and restaurant area in Tel Aviv. LGBT groups in Israel planned rallies and other support for the community in Orlando.

Palestinian territories

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah says the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history is a "senseless act of terror and hate" and that "Palestinians stand with the American people in this difficult time."

The statement made no direct reference to the LGBT community. Homosexuality is deeply taboo in the conservative Palestinian society. Gay Palestinians tend to be secretive about their social lives and some have crossed into Israel to live openly safely.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah told the Cabinet as he opened the weekly meeting live on television on Monday morning that the Orlando attack "tells us that terrorism knows no religion, boundary and geography. Terrorism must be eliminated."

He says that Afghans "do not support terrorism but the victims of terrorist attacks" and offered his condolences to the people and government of the United States. "Our hearts and minds are with our U.S. partners." He also urged "collective actions to end such attacks."

The gunman's parents immigrated from Afghanistan to the U.S., but he was born in New York.

Kuwait

Kuwait's Foreign Ministry says the government strongly condemns the "terrorist attack" that took place in Orlando, adding that the escalation of such assaults requires a doubling down of efforts on the part of the international community to eliminate "this disgusting phenomenon."

Last year, 27 people were killed by an ISIS suicide bomber in Kuwait during prayer at a mosque in the capital.

Qatar

Qatar's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the Orlando mass shooting and called for concerted international efforts to "face criminal acts that target civilians."

Egypt

Egypt's Foreign Ministry condemned the Orlando attack "in the strongest possible terms," and offered condolences to the American government and people. "Egypt stands next to the American people in these difficult times, offering sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishing the injured a speedy recovery."

Egypt's statement urged for international solidarity and a "firm, comprehensive approach to confronting terrorism, which knows no borders or religion, and is incompatible with all humanitarian principles and values."

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates - home to the Western-friendly metropolises of Abu Dhabi and Dubai - condemned "the terrorist attack" in Orlando, expressed its solidarity with the United States and called on the international community to work to "eliminate the scourge of terrorism."

China

China's official Xinhua News Agency issued a statement saying President Xi Jinping had telephoned his American counterpart President Obama to express his condolences over the Orlando shootings.

Xi was quoted as saying that "on behalf of the government and people of China, I convey to President Obama and the American government and people my deepest sympathies, sincere condolences and deep grief for the victims."

Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has condemned the Orlando nightclub attack and expressed condolences to the victims and their families.

Abe told reporters Monday in Oita that "Japan stands together with the people of the United States" and that "this despicable act of terror cannot be tolerated."

Australia

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said that the Orlando mass shooting was "an attack on all of us - on all our freedoms, the freedom to gather together, to celebrate, to share time with friends."

He said he spoke with the U.S. ambassador to Australia, John Berry, "and formally conveyed to him Australians' sympathy, condolences and resolute solidarity in the face of this shocking act of hate and terror."

"Together, at home and abroad, we continue the fight against terrorism and stand up for the values of our free nations," Turnbull said.

Singapore

The mass shooting at an Orlando gay nightclub happened shortly after a same-sex kiss was removed from a production of the musical "Les Miserables" in Singapore, and after the government said it would look into rules of foreign funding for gay pride parades like Pink Dot.

Law Minister K. Shanmugam said on Facebook: "Another senseless shooting. ... It just goes on and on. The madness is not going to stop."

Malaysia

The prime minister of Muslim-majority Malaysia, Najib Razak, said he was "horrified" by the Orlando mass shooting. "Islam abhors killing of innocent people," he tweeted.

A few Malaysians, using pseudonyms, wrote on social media that they approved of the attack at the gay nightclub because the victims were "sinners," but they were quickly condemned by many others.

In:
• Islamic Extremism
• Terrorism