France condemns Hyderabad attack, offers support

New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) France has condemned “in the strongest terms” the twin bombing in Hyderabad and said India can count on Paris’s “steadfast support and cooperation” in the fight against terrorism.

French President Francois Hollande, who had come to India last week, “most firmly condemns the attacks” that struck the people of Hyderabad, said a statement.

Conveying his heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families on behalf of France, Hollande expressed “his complete solidarity with the Indian people and the government in the fight against terrorism, for which they can count on France’s steadfast support and cooperation”, the statement said Friday.

The twin blasts in Hyderabad left 16 people dead and over 100 injured.

In another statement, the official spokesperson of the French ministry of foreign affairs said Friday that their Consul General in Bangalore had gone immediately to the site of the explosions “to express our solidarity with India and ensure the safety of the French community”.

It said that both countries had affirmed during last week’s visit to India by President Hollande that “no compromise is possible with terrorists”.

“Our two countries are determined to fight this threat together. France is ready to offer all cooperation that India may require,” the statement said.

IANS 2013-02-22 23:10:01