RP’s Arroyo condemns Bhutto assassination, calling it an assault on democracy (1:42 p.m.)
MANILA — Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo joined world leaders Friday in condemning the assassination of Pakistan’s opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, calling it a senseless atrocity and an assault on democracy.
“We strongly condemn this unmitigated, senseless atrocity, even as we convey our sympathies to the followers of former Prime Minister Bhutto and the families of those who perished,” Arroyo said in a statement. “This attack is an assault on democracy.”
“The Philippines joins hands with the entire civilized world in solidarity against such mindless barbarity and in unwavering defense of peace, freedom, law and order,” she added.
Bhutto died Thursday when an attacker shot her and then blew himself up as she left a political rally in Rawalpindi, a city near the capital, Islamabad. It was the second suicide attack against Bhutto since her tumultuous homecoming in October from an eight-year exile.
World leaders condemned the assassination of the former two-time prime minister and expressed concern for the stability of the volatile region. (AP)
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