Turkey sends condolences, condemns Pakistan's suicide attack

A statement by the Presidential Press Center said on Sunday said that President Gul sent a message expressing his condolences to Pakistani President Zardari regarding the terrorist bombing at a hotel in Islamabad which killed several on Sept. 20.

"I strongly condemn this appalling attack which aimed at spoiling domestic peace. I believe that those who waged this attack will be defeated by the national unity and communal compromise," he said.

In a message to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, the Turkish Prime Minister said, “I have learnt with profound sorrow that, more than 40 persons have lost their lives and more than 70 persons were wounded as a result of the terrorist attack, which took place today in Islamabad, the capital of brotherly Pakistan.”

“On behalf of the Turkish people who have suffered great losses for many years due to terror attacks and my Government, I strongly condemn this abhorrent attack which targets Pakistan’s stability and its persistently developing democracy,” he added.

He said Turkey will continue its support and solidarity with resolution for brotherly Pakistan’s fight against terrorism and extremism. Turkey perceives terrorism a crime against humanity regardless of its source and cause, and always emphasizes the importance of effective cooperation and solidarity in this field on the global level.