People Around the World Remember September 11 Attacks

Posted September 11th, 2011 at 5:05 pm (UTC-5)
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People around the world have somberly marked the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States which killed almost 3,000 people in a single day in New York, Washington, and rural Pennsylvania.

Citizens from 90 different nations died that day, including 67 Britons.

In London, Prince Charles and Prime Minister David Cameron joined the families of the victims in a wreath laying ceremony as all 67 names were read out loud.

Pope Benedict prayed for the 9/11 victims and their families. The leader of the world's Roman Catholics called on all people to “reject violence” and instead work for solidarity, justice, and peace.

Thousands joined together in Paris next to the Eiffel Tower and at a mass at Notre Dame Cathedral. Former French President Jacques Chirac was the first world leader to visit the United States after the attacks. Remembrances were held elsewhere in Europe, including Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

Children held candles and a choir sang at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, while Afghanistan's ambassador to the United States, Eklil Hakimi, said Afghans understand the pain of terrorism.

Pakistan's government said it joins the world in honoring the memory of all victims of terrorism from September 11th, 2001 to the present day.

Israeli,Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war on terrorism is not over. He warned that radical Islam is threatening moderate Arab and Muslim governments and spoke of the horror if fanatics get control of weapons of mass destruction.

In New Zealand, members of the American rugby team took part in an emotional memorial service remembering the attacks, before their World Cup match against Ireland.

But not all voices Sunday were in sympathy with the September 11th victims. The Taliban accused United States of using the attacks as a “pretext” to invade Afghanistan and Iraq. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad echoed the Taliban's accusations.

And in a stark reminder that terrorism is still a threat, Sweden Saturday arrested four people suspected of planning a terror attack in Gothenburg on the eve of September 11. Swedish authorities closed off an arts center in the city for several hours. They did not give any details about the potential attack.