RIYADH: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states on Thursday condemned the suicide bombing in Asir in the strongest words, describing it as “a heinous crime by cowards, which is contrary to the values and principles of Islam and humanity.”

Abdullatif Al-Zayani, GCC secretary-general, expressed total support of GCC countries to the Kingdom in all its actions to protect its security and stability and to ensure the safety of its citizens.

Asserting that Kuwait fully stands with the Kingdom, its foreign ministry said, “this heinous crime that comes in continuation of the series of hateful terrorism (which) seeks to undermine the safety and security of the Gulf countries.”

Abdullah Al-Turki, Muslim World League (MWL)secretary-general and a member of Council of Senior Scholars, expressing deep sorrow that the deviant group is carrying on with its heinous crimes. “It has become no secret that the thought of these deviant groups is not related to Islam as Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, prohibited such acts and described it as a great danger to Islam and Muslims.”

The UN resident coordinator in Riyadh, Ashok Nigam, told Arab News: “We condemn this terrorist act in strongest possible words. Our sympathies go out to the victims’ families, those who lost precious lives and sustained injuries. Such incidents have no place in society.”

US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Joseph W. Westphal said: “I condemn in the strongest terms the attack on the mosque in Asir. My heart is with the families of those who were killed and I hope for a rapid recovery of the wounded.”

The Shoura Council also condemned the terror attack. Mohammed Alkhnessi, a senior member of the Shoura, said: “We reject all kind of terrorism; this is an act of a coward. Rather than being intimidated by such continued acts of barbarism perpetrated by the deviant group, we have stiffened our resolve that there has to be a common effort to fight the menace.”

Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah Al-Sanad, president of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtues and the Prevention of Vice (Haia), denounced the terrorist bombing. “This is a heinous crime and this was an enormous aggression targeting the security men who are protecting the nation, its security and citizens, which is deplorable,” he said.

A spokesman at the British Embassy said: “Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and friends of all those killed and injured in the attack.”