Bomb attack draws condemnation

Politicians, foreign embassies in Stockholm and European leaders have joined Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt in condemnation of Saturday’s suicide bombing on one of the capital’s busiest shopping streets.

• Local imam condemns Stockholm bombings (12 Dec 10)
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Mona Sahlin, leader of the opposition Social Democrats, said the attack would not undermine Swedish society:

“I react strongly against yesterday’s explosion in Stockholm. It is very serious if Sweden has now also been subjected to a terrorist attack. All Swedes should be able to feel safe and secure when going about their daily business. I am convinced that our society will stand strong, even against a test like this.”

“We are being kept informed by the government. It is important that we now stand united behind the work of the law enforcement agencies,” she concluded.

Green Party spokespeople Maria Wetterstrand and Peter Eriksson issued a joint statement condemning the attacks

“We condemn all forms of violence. The explosions risk creating great concern among the public, and such crimes must be fought forcefully. It’s important that people’s fear of attacks is not abused by xenophobic forces. What has happened must not lead to groups being set against each other,” said Wetterstrand.

“Democracy and the open society are some of the most important values we have to defend. We therefore all have a responsibility to fight terrorism and hate,” added Eriksson.

The United States’ Embassy in Stockholm also issued a statement following the bombing:

“The United States strongly condemns the suspected terrorist attack that occurred in Stockholm yesterday. The American people stand together with our Swedish friends at this difficult time,” the statement said.

Turkey on Sunday also condemned the bomb attacks in Sweden's capital Stockholm and said it stood by the international community in the fight against terrorism.

"It is with sadness that we condemn the hateful terrorist attack that occurred in Stockholm," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement published on its website after the two explosions late Saturday.

"Turkey, which has always underlined the importance of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism ... wants to express its solidarity with its friends, the Swedish people and government, in these difficult days," it said.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle also condemned the blasts, saying there should be no let-up in counter-terrorism operations.

"I condemn yesterday's suicide attack in Stockholm, in the heart of a European capital," Westerwelle said in a statement.

"Attacks of this kind show that we cannot relax our engagement against terrorism," the statement said.

One person died, suspected to be the bomber, and two others were injured during the blasts on Saturday evening, described by Swedish authorities as terrorism.