“Senseless tragedy”

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has described as “senseless tragedy,” the terrorist attack against France that killed and wounded more than persons last week in Paris.

She says Liberia is in solidarity with the President, the Government and people of France “in this senseless tragedy that has claimed so many of their citizens.”
After signing the book of condolence at the French Embassy near Monrovia Tuesday, 17 November President Sirleaf told reporters that Liberia stands by France in any way “we can,” on grounds that any terroristic killing to a nation also affects Liberia.

She expressed the Government and people of Liberia’s sadness at the French Embassy to let France know that Liberia is a great friend and will always remain in partnership. French Ambassador to Liberia, Joel Godeau, says the situation is “horrific” and a challenge “for us,” but France is strong because the French people are resilient.

Ambassador Godeau appreciated the support provided by President Sirleaf and the government and people of Liberia in this difficulty time that he says France considers a real “war.” He however says France really needs the support of all its friends all over the world, lot of whom he added have already been sending in messages of sympathy and solidarity, among others.

After signing the book of condolence at the French Embassy yesterday, Ambassador Godeau told reporters that French President Francois Hollande had earlier declared that his country was at a special war and vowed to continue to strike “this so-called Islamic State.”

“And so we’ve launched strike on the city of Raqqa which is the counter’s capital,” he said, adding that unfortunately young people from France and other European countries are trained and then sent on [these attacks].

By Winston W. Parley-Edited by Jonathan Browne