World leaders have condemned the June 3 London terrorist attack, which left seven people dead and more than 30 others injured, BBC reported June 4. French President Emmanuel Macron said France, which had four citizens injured in the attack, was more than ever at Britain's side. He also said security measures were being "reinforced" so that French citizens in London would be able to vote in the first round of the country's upcoming parliamentary elections, AFP reported. U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted support for the United Kingdom and the U.S. State Department issued a statement offering solidarity. Trump also called for his travel ban on visitors from six predominantly Muslim countries to be upheld by U.S. courts, where it's being challenged.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Spain's Foreign Ministry, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker also released statements offering condolences and support for Britain, condemning the attacks. Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his condolences as well, and later in a telegram to British Prime Minister Theresa May, said joint efforts to fight terrorism "should be a mutual response," according to a Kremlin statement.
Meanwhile, May's Conservative Party, Britain's opposition Labour Party and the Scottish National Party suspended national campaigning on June 4 for the snap general elections in wake of the London attack, Reuters reported. Far-right UKIP leader Paul Nuttall, however, said he would not be suspending election campaigning. The prime minister said the vote would go ahead as planned on June 8. She also called for a stronger response to Islamist extremism following the attack, saying, "enough is enough." And an all-star concert to raise funds for victims of the May 22 suicide bombing in Manchester will go ahead on June 4 as planned, but security will be raised, police said.
In the London attack, three suspected militants drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge on June 3 before stabbing several people on nearby streets. Eight minutes after the three men exited the vehicle they were shot and killed by armed police. London's Metropolitan Police have arrested 12 people in the Barking district of east London in connection with the attack and raids were continuing there. Though authorities have yet to attribute a motive to the attack, the incident closely follows the kind of grassroots attack several jihadist groups, including Islamic State and al Qaeda, have urged their followers to carry out in Western nations.
