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Blinken says US 'deeply concerned' by Abe shooting
"This is a very, very sad moment," Blinken told reporters at a G20 meeting in Bali, saying the United States was "deeply saddened and deeply concerned".
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield speak during a UN Security Council meeting on February 17, 2022, in New York. Blinken urged Russia Thursday to pull back from war and declare it has no plans to invade Ukraine. If it seeks peace, Blinken told the UN Security Council, (AFP/Timothy A. Clary)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced alarm and sadness on Friday after the shooting of Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe, a longtime ally of Washington.
"This is a very, very sad moment," Blinken told reporters at a G20 meeting in Bali, saying the United States was "deeply saddened and deeply concerned".
"We don't know his condition," Blinken said quoted by AFP. "Our thoughts, our prayers are with him, with his family, with the people of Japan."
Blinken was speaking at the start of a meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi, who is chairing the Group of 20 talks.
She said that she wished to "convey our deepest sympathies, and our prayers, for the speedy recovery of the former prime minister".
"The minister has expressed her sympathies in the name of G20 foreign ministers to the Japanese foreign minister," Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said on Friday.
US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said Friday the United States is "saddened and shocked" by the shooting of Abe.
"The US Government and American people are praying for the well-being of Abe-san, his family, and people of Japan," Emanuel tweeted, adding Abe has been an unwavering ally of the United States and an outstanding leader of Japan.
The incident took place while Abe was delivering a stump speech in the western city of Nara for this weekend's House of Councillors election, Kyodo news reported.
