AMIR OFFERS CONDOLENCES … KUWAITIS IN ISTANBUL SAFE – Turning point seen in fight on terror

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ISTANBUL, June 29, (Agencies): Turkish investigators pored over video footage and witness statements on Wednesday after three suspected Islamic State suicide bombers opened fire and blew themselves up in Istanbul’s main airport, killing 41 people and wounding 239.

The attack on Europe’s third-busiest airport was the deadliest in a series of suicide bombings this year in Turkey, part of the US-led coalition against Islamic State and struggling to contain spillover from neighbouring Syria’s war. President Tayyip Erdogan said the attack should serve as a turning point in the global fight against terrorism, which he said had “no regard for faith or values”. US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned it in separate phone calls with Erdogan, his office said.

Condolences

Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable of condolences to Erdogan following the twin bombing. He expressed, on behalf of the State of Kuwait, profound grief over the scores of innocent victims who fell as a result of “this despicable terrorist attack which runs counter to all faiths and humanitarian values.” His Highness the Amir renewed Kuwait’s principled stance against all forms of terrorism, and reaffirmed support to sisterly Turkey and the international community in the fight against terrorism.

He also expressed sympathy with the victims of the attack and their families and prayed for Allah the Almighty to lodge the martyrs in paradise and grant the wounded quick recovery. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables to President Erdogan.

Condemned

Kuwait Foreign Ministry also condemned in strong terms the terrorist attack. A ministry official source said in a statement that this blatant crime, committed in the last ten days of the holy month Ramadan, affirms that terrorism belongs to no religion and aims to undermine the whole of mankind.

The State of Kuwait stands on side of friendly Turkey with respect of the measures it takes to safeguard its security and stability, the official source said, emphasizing the country’s unwavering and principled stance that renounces terrorism and supports international efforts designed to uproot it.

He expressed deep condolences to families of the victims, the government and people of friendly Turkey, wishing the injured quick recovery. All Kuwaitis Istanbul are safe, Consul General of the State of Kuwait in Istanbul Mohammed Fahad Al-Mohammad said on Wednesday.

Al-Mohammad’s statement follows the Tuesday attacks that hit the Ataturk Airport in the city claiming the lives of at least 41 people and wounding scores. Just after the attacks took place, the consulate formed a task force upon directives from First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, he said. The team worked at the airport to help Kuwaitis whose fl ights were cancelled for security reasons after the attacks, he added.

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