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by Xinhua writer Wang Qiang
CAIRO, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Shocked by the ruthless carnage in Nice, France on Thursday, countries in the Middle East condemned the terror attack that killed at least 84 people, and expressed solidarity with France.
A truck rammed into a crowd celebrating the French national day in Nice on Thursday night, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said on Friday.
The truck driver was shot dead after opening fire at police. Identity papers of a 31-year-old Franco-Tunisian male, in addition to weapons and grenades, were reportedly found in the truck.
At least 84 people were killed and 18 others remain in "critical condition," said the minister.
Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, president of the most populous Arab country, Egypt, condemned the attack and expressed heartfelt condolences to French President Francois Hollande and the French people.
Sisi also voiced his country's full solidarity with all international efforts aimed at fighting terrorism.
In Turkey, where the latest terror attack struck last month, killing 45 people at an Istanbul airport, President Recep Erdogan condemned the attack in France as "inhuman."
On Wednesday, France, citing security concerns, shut its diplomatic missions in Turkey.
The United Arab Emirates, a close economic partner of France, strongly condemned "the heinous and horrific crime."
For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered assistance to France in its struggle against terrorism.
"Israel is ready to help the French government fight this evil until it is defeated," he said.
Iraqi President Fuad Masoum described the attack as "barbaric."
The attack in Nice "reaffirms the importance of strengthening solidarity and cooperation in the international community, and the need to activate all necessary means to fight terrorism in all its forms," Masoum said.
In addition, the governments of Iran, Sudan and Tunisia also condemned the attack.
President Beji Caid Essebsi of Tunisia, which also suffered several major terror attacks in the past two years, told French Ambassador in Tunisia, Francois Gouyette, that the two countries "will fight together and show we are united."
In Tehran, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said "terrorism is an ominous phenomenon that will be eradicated only with international cooperation and consensus."
Qasemi criticized some Western country's policy of "double standards" on fighting terrorism, saying such attempts in dealing with terrorism will result in failure, Tasnim news agency reported. Enditem
