Putin offers condolences to Tunisian president
MOSCOW. March 18 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the attack at the Tunisian capital and expressed support for the Tunisian authorities' efforts to fight terrorism.
"We resolutely condemn terrorism in all its manifestations. We support the Tunisian authorities' active efforts aimed at fighting this threat," reads a telegram sent by Putin to the Tunisian president, Beji Caid Essebsi. Its text was posted on the Kremlin website on Wednesday evening.
Putin offered his deep condolences to the Tunisian leader over the deaths of Tunisian and foreign citizens as a result of the attack by terrorists at the Bardo Museum
"There can be no justification to this barbaric crime," he stressed.
Earlier on Wednesday several media outlets reported hearing sounds of gunshots inside the building of the Tunisian parliament. Later it emerged that terrorists entered the museum and took several dozen people hostage. Eventually, Tunisian security forces freed the hostages. Two militants were killed during the security operation.
According to the latest figures, about 20 people were killed and another 24 injured in the attack. There were no Russians among those killed in the attack at Bardo Museum.