The terrorist attacks in Tunisia, France and Kuwait have made it clear that terrorism knows no borders and has no sense of humanity, said Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday in a telephone conversation with the Emir of Kuwait. The international community must stand up resolutely to this threat with all its strength.

Angela Merkel assured the Tunisian President Beiji Caid Essebsi of her support. In a telephone conversation on Saturday she told him that Germany stood by Tunisia at this difficult time, and that it would step up cooperation in the fight against terrorism, reported federal government spokesperson Steffen Seibert. Germany will be making support for border security a priority. This is a concern that the President voiced at the G7 summit in Schloss Elmau, where he was a special guest.

Angela Merkel deeply shocked

In a telegram of condolence to the Tunisian President Angela Merkel wrote on Friday, "I am deeply shocked by this barbaric act of terrorism in the resort of Sousse, which has cost many people, including many tourists, their lives. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms."

A German victim

On Saturday evening Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier reported that a German tourist was among the victims. Another German was injured in the attack. It was not entirely clear at that point whether there might be more Germans among the victims. He spoke of a "cowardly attack on every sort of humanity". In the fight against terrorism Tunisia has Germany’s full support, he said. This also applies to Tunisia’s efforts to secure its economic and democratic future. "We stand together and will not let anyone drive us apart," declared Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The Federal Foreign Office has opened a helpline to take calls relating to the Tunisian attack. The number to call is ++ 49 (0)30 5000-3000.

Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière will be flying to Tunisia today (Monday) to find out more first hand. On Saturday he declared that the aim of the terrorists is to plunge the country into chaos, but the Tunisian people and the Tunisian government must not allow themselves to be driven off the road to democracy.

Attack in France

"At this time our thoughts are with the families of the victims," said Chancellor Angela Merkel at the closing press conference after the meeting of the European Council in Brussels in response to the attack in France. The attack made it clear, she added, what a huge challenge it is to fight Islamist terrorism.

In a telegram of condolence to the French President Angela Merkel wrote, "During this difficult time I would like to express in this way to you and to the French people the deep sympathy of the people of Germany and my own sympathy." In the war on terrorism, which is attacking our values and the peaceful coexistence of nations and within our societies in a brutal and perfidious fashion, Germany stands at France’s side, she added.

At least one assailant was involved in the attack on the factory in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier, south east of Lyon on Friday. The specialist plant produced gas products for industry. One man was killed and another two injured. The suspected perpetrator was apprehended by police, the search continues for accomplices.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks of "an act of terrorism and fanaticism "

Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his "deepest sympathies" to the families of victims and condemned "this act of terror and fanaticism in the strongest possible terms". "We stand united with France in defending our free society against the blind hatred of terror," he declared in Berlin.

Following the attack, Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière assured France of Germany’s solidarity. "Our thoughts are with our French friends," said Thomas de Maizière on Friday at the close of a conference of the interior ministers of the federal and state governments in Mainz.

For Germany, Thomas de Maizière spoke of a "serious threat level". There is "no reason to assume the danger is over". He cannot give the German people "any guarantee that there will not be a similar attack in Germany," he said. But the security authorities are doing everything in their power to prevent any such scenario.