France knife attack: World leaders condemn deadly stabbings

A knife-wielding attacker shouting "Allahu Akbar" beheaded a woman and killed two other people in a suspected terrorist act at a church in the French city of Nice on Thursday, while a gunman was shot dead by police in a separate incident.

Nicemayor, Christian Estrosi said it was a terrorist attack that took place near the Notre Dame church.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to condemn the ''heinous attack'' and offer hisheartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.

"I condemn the odious and brutal attack that has just taken place in Nice and I am with France with all my heart," European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen tweeted.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnsoncondemned the ''barbaric attack''pledging solidarity with France in the fight against extremism.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany stood with France after the"brutal" knife.

"I am deeply shaken by the brutal murders in the church in Nice. My thoughts are with the relatives of those murdered and injured. Germany stands with France at this difficult time," she said, in a tweet posted by her spokesman Steffen Seibert.

TheKremlin, commenting on recent beheading incidents in France, saidit was unacceptable to kill people, but also wrong to insult the feelings of religious believers.

Pope Francis prayed for the victims of theattack by a knifeman saying"terrorism and violence can never be accepted".

"Today's attack has sown death in a place of love and consolation. The Pope is aware of the situation and is close to the mourning Catholic community," Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement.

"He prays for the victims and their loved ones, so that the violence may cease, so that we may return to look upon ourselves as brothers and sisters and not as enemies, so that the beloved French people may unite to combat evil with good", he said.

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry issued a statement saying ''We strongly condemn and denounce the terrorist attack that occurred near the Notre Dame church in Nice, France, which resulted in the death and injury of several people.''

Taiwan's President,Tsai Ing-wen, also took to Twitter to offer her condolences for the tragic incident. "I’m deeply saddened by the news of the attack at the Notre Dame Basilica in Nice. Taiwan stands with the people of France at this trying time, & supports their values of freedom & diversity," she said.

Turkey, while offering condolences to the victims' relatives, said"We strongly condemn the attack committed today inside the Notre-Dame church in Nice.''

Earlier,Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoganMonday called on his countrymento boycott French goods as relations between the NATO allies deteriorated over Paris's hardened stance against radical Islam.

"As it has been said in France, 'don't buy Turkish-labelled goods', I call on my people here. Never give credit to French-labelled goods, don't buy them," Erdogan said during a televised speech in Ankara.