International community extends condolences to China over earthquake

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that he believes the rescue and relief efforts will be swift and that the Chinese people will be able to overcome this tragedy.

"I wish those injured a speedy recovery and hope that the affected regions will return to normalcy before long," he said.

President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed expressed condolences to China and lamented over the victims.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he felt grieved about the great number of casualties in the quake and offered his condolences to the Chinese people and the families of the quake victims.

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah lamented over the deaths and extended profound condolences to the families of the quake victims. He said he hoped the Chinese people will overcome the disaster soon.

Jordan's King Abdullah felt deeply grieved over the casualties and offered his most sincere condolences to the families of the victims.

Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba hoped the brave Chinese people will tide over the difficulties.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said he was deeply grieved over the victims and sent sincere condolences to the Chinese people and the families of the quake victims. He believed the Chinese people will overcome the disaster.

Seychelles President James Michel wished the quake relief a smooth progress and that China will overcome the disaster.

Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure extended condolences to China and particularly to the families of the victims.

Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Prime Minister Karim Masimov said they hoped the affected regions will restore to normalcy as soon as possible.

Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva on Wednesday sent condolences to the Chinese people, saying that "in the name of the Portuguese people and my own, I express our deepest feelings and our solidarity."

Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov offered deep condolences to Chinese people. He said he believed the Chinese government and its people have great determination to overcome the disaster and the affected areas will restore to normalcy soon.

The Georgian Foreign Ministry issued a statement Thursday saying " the people and the government of Georgia convey the expression of their sincere sympathy and condolences to the kith and kin of the disaster victims."

Romania President Traian Basescu expressed his condolences and sympathy to the victims, saying he will stand side-by-side with the Chinese people.

Luxemburg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Junker sent his condolences and sympathy for the heavy casualties on behalf of Luxemburg.