Nairobi attack: US condemns deaths, offers support to govt

Washington: The US government on Saturday condemned the terrorist attack in a shopping mall in Nairobi and condoled the 39 victims who died in the incident. “The United States condemns in the strongest terms the despicable terrorist attack on innocent civilians today at the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya,” reported Xinhua citing White House National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden in a statement. [caption id=“attachment_1125763” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  The body of a victim lies on the ground as a security personnel tries to enter the mall. AFP.[/caption] “The perpetrators of this heinous act must be brought to justice, and we have offered our full support to the Kenyan Government to do so,” said Hayden, adding that Washington would continue to confront terrorism in all its forms, including “the threat posed by al-Shabaab”. Hayden also said the US offered “deepest condolences” to the victims’ families and loved ones, including the injured American citizens, and commended “the courageous response” by Kenyan security personnel and first responders. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta earlier confirmed that at least 39 people died and over 150 injured in the mall attack, including some very close members of his own family. Somalia’s militant group al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack. IANS