PM's message to Putin

The Prime Minister, Dr Gonzi, has sent a message of solidarity and condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin following the hostage-taking by terrorists at a school in southern Russia, and the massacre of hundreds of schoolchildren and other persons.

Dr Gonzi said the acts of terror in the past days have shocked the international community for their gravity and the toll they claimed.

"Such acts of terrorism are an affront to the whole of humanity wherever and whenever they happen.

"The international community must continue to unite its efforts to combat this evil of our times and to work in favour of human rights and dignity.

"The hostage taking in the school in Beslan, North Ossetia, the callous indifference to human life and dignity by the terrorists and in particular the targeting of children qualify as barbarous acts that outrage the conscience of humankind.

"Kindly transmit to the families of the many victims of the recent tragedies my own personal sentiment of condolences and solidarity and those of the people of Malta."

The Malta Union of Teachers has strongly condemned the school massacre in Beslan and expressed solidarity with teachers' assocations in Russia.