Oslo: Norway’s prime minister said today that the response to twin attacks that have rocked his country will be “more democracy.” Jens Stoltenberg told reporters today that Norwegians will defend themselves by showing they are not afraid of violence. The vicious attack in the normally placid country has left Norwegians appalled and shaky, but determined to move forward. Some government workers were planning to return to work in their offices in the buildings where the bomb blasts blew out most windows. At least 76 people were killed in the attack on government buildings in Oslo and a rampage on an island youth camp. [caption id="" align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Tens of thousands of Norwegians have rejected the suspect’s rhetoric, laying thousands of flowers around the capital in mourning. Reuters”][/caption] Anders Behring Breivik has confessed to the attacks, saying he was trying to save the Western world from Muslim colonisation. Stolenberg said that extremist views are legitimate but implementing them violently is not. Meanwhile, the leader of Norway’s Delta Force defended the special operations team, saying the breakdown of a boat didn’t cause a significant delay in efforts to reach the island where Anders Behring Breivik’s shooting rampage killed 68 people. Police have come under close scrutiny over how long it took them to reach the island after first reports of shots being fired at the island youth camp Friday. Although the island is only about 40 kilometres from the Norwegian capital, police needed 90 minutes to get to the scene. (more) Police officially released the first four names of victims yesterday, and Norwegian media published the names and photos of some of the other victims. At least some were immigrants or their descendants. Tens of thousands of Norwegians have rejected the suspect’s rhetoric, laying thousands of flowers around the capital in mourning. Entire streets were awash in flowers, and Oslo’s florists ran out of roses. Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere attended a packed memorial yesterday in the World Islamic Mission mosque in Oslo. After the ceremony, Pakistani-born Imam Najeeb ur Rehman Naz said the massacre had brought Norwegian residents of all backgrounds closer together. “Everyone realises that terrorism and this kind of activity doesn’t have anything to do with any religion,” he said. “They are individuals who can be found in any community who don’t represent the majority at all.” AP
Oslo: Norway’s prime minister said today that the response to twin attacks that have rocked his country will be “more democracy.” Jens Stoltenberg told reporters today that Norwegians will defend themselves by showing they are not afraid of violence. The vicious attack in the normally placid country has left Norwegians appalled and shaky, but determined to move forward. Some government workers were planning to return to work in their offices in the buildings where the bomb blasts blew out most windows.
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