Calls for calm as the world condemns Israeli action

The assassination of the Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin provoked widespread condemnation from world leaders amid predictions of a new cycle of violence in the Middle East and calls for calm. Only the United States fell short of outright criticism of the attack.

UNITED NATIONS

The UN secretary general, Kofi Annan: "I do condemn the targeted assassination of Ahmed Yassin and the others who died with him. Such actions are not only contrary to international law but they do not help the search for a peaceful solution."

UNITED STATES

Condoleezza Rice, National Security Adviser: "Let's remember Hamas is a terrorist organisation and Sheikh Yassin has himself, we believe, been involved in terrorist planning."

Scott McClellan, a White House spokesman: "We are deeply troubled by this morning's actions in Gaza."

Lou Fintor, a state department spokesman: "The US urges all sides to remain calm and exercise restraint ... There was no warning given to us."

EUROPEAN UNION

Javier Solana, EU foreign policy chief: "[This] is very bad news for the peace process."

EU foreign ministers' joint statement: "Not only are extra-judicial killings contrary to international law, they undermine the concept of the rule of law which is a key element in the fight against terrorism."

BRITAIN

Jack Straw, Foreign Secretary: "It is unacceptable, it is unjustified and it is very unlikely to achieve its objectives. This kind of so-called targeted killing is well outside international law. I believe it was impolitic. We have to try to ensure that there is, none the less, as calm a response as possible in the Arab world."

FRANCE

President Jacques Chirac: "France unreservedly condemn not only terrorism but all acts of violence, especially when it is a question of an attack which breaks international laws."

THE VATICAN

"The Holy See unites with the international community in deploring this act of violence that cannot be justified in any state of law. Lasting peace cannot come from a show of force."

GERMANY

Joschka Fischer, Foreign Minister: "[I am] concerned about the possible consequences. Everything must be done to avoid a further escalation. Progress must be made with initiatives in the Middle East."

AUSTRIA

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Foreign Minister: "It would be good if the Quartet nations could meet again. We must contain the Middle East conflict."

NORWAY

Jan Petersen, Foreign Minister: "This act will contribute to increased tensions in the area and will make it more difficult to implement the road map for peace and a possible Israeli withdrawal from Gaza."

POLAND

Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, Foreign Minister: "I'm afraid it may have negative consequences not only in terms of Israeli-Palestinian conflict but the threat of terrorist attacks on other countries, including European [ones], is growing."

DENMARK

Per Stig Moeller, Foreign Minister: "We have to fight terror everywhere. Israel also has to fight terror ... but extrajudicial killings is not one of the ways."

EGYPT

President Hosni Mubarak: "With this act we have aborted the peace process today. It will have big effects on the region."

JORDAN

King Abdullah II: "We are pained by what happened despite our persistent efforts with all sides, including the Israeli government, to refrain from its policy of military escalation."

SYRIA

President Bashar Assad: "[This is] the climax of terrorism that Israel is continuously practising."

LEBANON

Rafik Hariri, Prime Minister: "[The assasination] will push the region into a new cycle of violence and terrorism and undermine any hope for achieving peace in the Middle East."

IRAN

President Mohammed Khatami: "The heinous crime reflects a cowardly behaviour of the occupying Israeli regime as well as its fear of Palestinian resistance, which is centred on their religious faith."

KUWAIT

Mohammed al-Saqer, head of the foreign affairs committee in parliament, : "They [Israelis] say that Hamas is a terrorist organisation, but the truth is that Israel is a terrorist state."

SOUTH AFRICA

Government statement: "Extra judicial assassinations are in contravention of international law [and] strengthen those not committed to achieving peace in the Middle East."

SUDAN

Hassan Turabi, Sudanese Islamic leader: "I think that this will put pressure on the Arab governments that have so far let down the Palestinian cause."

CHINA

Kong Quan, foreign ministry spokesman: "We are deeply worried about the impact on the region. We are watching the development of the situation."

AUSTRALIA

A spokesman for the Foreign Minister Alexander Downer: "We would urge calm on both sides to try and prevent any further decline into violence in that region."