World leaders reaction to the martyrdom of Raisi

CAPITALS, May21, (ST)-More World leaders have offered condolences in messages sent to the Iranian government  and people on the martyrdom of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and their companions, following the crash of the plane they were traveling on board on Monday, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

The messages of condolences were sent by:

• North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who said: ““I am deeply shocked by the news that Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has passed away unexpectedly,” the message starts, without mentioning the cause of his death.

Kim called Raisi an “outstanding political leader” and said his death is a great loss for those “who strive for independence and justice,” citing his efforts to safeguard Iran’s sovereignty and interests.

The North Korean leader also expressed condolences to the bereaved family members and said the country “will overcome the pain of this great loss and continue to advance vigorously to build a strong and prosperous Iran.”

• Kenya’s President William Ruto, who said that the late Iranian president was a firm leader committed to the causes that he believed in and sought to elevate Iran’s standing on the global stage.

• Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who said that he was “deeply saddened” by the news, noting that he had the “honour” of meeting Raisi last November.

“His dedication to justice, peace, and the Islamic community was truly inspiring. We committed ourselves to bolstering Malaysia-Iran relations, working together for the betterment of our peoples and the Muslim world. Our pledge will be fulfilled,” Ibrahim said.

• The foreign ministries of Uruguay, Peru, and Chile.

• The Government of India has declared one-day national mourning tomorrow, 21 May 2024 as a mark of respect to the late Iranian president and Foreign Minister.  The National Flag will be flown at half-mast on the day of mourning throughout India on all buildings where the National Flag is flown regularly and there will be no official activity on the day.

• Polish President Andrzej Duda wrote oh on X: “”We join with the relatives of the victims and the Iranian people in prayer and grief.”

He reflected on Poland’s own tragedy, the Smolensk plane crash of 2010, which claimed the lives of 96 people, including Polish President Lech Kaczyński and his wife, Maria Kaczyńska, acknowledging the profound impact such tragedies have on nations, emphasizing the shared experience of loss and mourning.

• Switzerland’s Foreign Minister, Ignazio Cassis, wrote on X: “In light of the helicopter accident that claimed the lives of President Ebrahim Raisi, my counterpart FM Amirabdolahian, and their accompanying delegations, I extend my condolences to the families of all the victims and to the Iranian citizens affected.”

• The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov, who offered condolences to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iran Ali Mojtaba Ruzbekhani in Ashgabat.

Meredov emphasized that this tragic event caused deep sorrow in the hearts of all Turkmen people. On behalf of the leadership and people of Turkmenistan, he assured that the country is ready to provide any necessary assistance and support to the Iranian side in this difficult time.

• Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his condolences Monday over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and several officials in a helicopter crash.

“I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of H.E. Ayatollah Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi,” Kishida said in a statement. “Based on the long-standing friendly relations between Japan and Iran, I have had a series of candid discussions with President Raisi on the bilateral relationship between Japan and Iran as well as the regional situation, through summit meetings and telephone talks.”

• French Foreign Ministry offered their condolences

Basma Qaddour