EU condemns 'despicable' Egypt bombings

The European Union today condemned the “despicable” bombings at a popular beach resort in Egypt, and leaders across Europe said they were standing with the Egyptian government against terrorist attacks.

In a statement issued in Vienna by Austria, the current holder of the rotating EU presidency, the 25-nation bloc said it “strongly condemns the despicable terrorist attacks in the Egyptian resort town of Dahab which caused death and injuries to numerous people” and offered condolences to families of the victims.

Three nearly-simultaneous bombings hit Dahab yesterday evening, a Sinai seaside beach resort popular with Europeans and other foreigners, killing at least 24 people.

President Jacques Chirac of France condemned what he called an “odious terrorist act”.

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy praised the Palestinian militant group Hamas for condemning the bombings. Italy’s President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi expressed “deep indignation” and solidarity.

Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller also decried the attacks, which wounded five Danes, one seriously.