Armenian lawmakers observe a minute of silence for memory of innocent victims of terrorist attacks in France and Lebanon

 The session of the National Assembly of Armenia started with a minute of silence to commemorate the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks in France and Lebanon.    

"Armenia condemns any kind of terrorism. We express our condolence and support to our colleagues in France and Lebanon, friendly French and Lebanese people. Let`s observe a minute of silence to commemorate the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks," said Galust Sahakyan, Speaker of the Armenian Parliament.     

To note, the horrific explosions happened at the multiple locations in Paris on November 13, including Bataclan, a Cambodian restaurant, outside a bar, the Stade de France stadium during a game between Germany and France. The French President Francois Hollande, who was attending the game, was evacuated. Attackers took dozens of hostages at the popular Bataclan concert hall, where an American band called Eagles of Death Metal was performing. According to the latest data, at least 153 people were killed in terror attacks in Paris. The worst carnage occurred at Bataclan, with at least 112 left dead. The police killed four terrorists at a result of storming the building. The witnesses informed that the attackers shouted, "Allah" and "This is for Syria" claims, when shooting. As Paris chief prosecutor Francois Molins informed the attacks happened at the same time in 6 different locations. Martial Law is now underway in Paris. The state borders have been closed. Many countries have already extended their condolences over the terror assaults and expressed their readiness to help France.  

On November 14, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan opened a candle lighting ceremony at the France Square in Yerevan in memory of the people killed in terror attacks in Paris on November 13. Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, French Ambassador to Armenia Jean-Francois Charpentier and other high-ranking officials participated in the ceremony. Thousands of people in Yerevan joined the ceremony bringing their candles, flowers, and toys to the France Square. Many carried posters reading, "We are with the French People," "Vive la France", "Stop Terrorism." Earlier on the same say people brought flowers to the French Embassy in Yerevan to extend their condolences over a series of terror assaults in Paris.  The Embassy representatives said in case of desire, the people can leave their notes in the Embassy's book of condolences starting from 2:00pm on November 16. The president, foreign ministers and other high-ranking officials have made statements condemning the terror acts and expressing their solidarity with France.
To recall, a national day of mourning was held on November 13, Friday, after two suicide bombers on motorcycles killed at least 43 people and wounded more than 200 others in a predominantly Shia area of southern Beirut.  The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) claimed responsibility for one of the worst attacks in years in Lebanon. The explosions took place in the Burj el-Barajneh area, located off a main highway leading to Beirut's airport. Burj el-Barajneh, a well-known commercial and residential spot, suffered extensive damage from the two blasts. The bombings came at a busy time in the evening when the streets were full of families gathering after work. One of the suicide bombers blew himself up at the gates of a school, according to the Lebanese minister of education, Elias Bou Saab.  Witnesses said there were only minutes between the two blasts.