Interpol condemns terror "bloodbath" in Nairobi, offers full assistance to Kenya

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PARIS, Sept. 22 -- The international police organization Interpol strongly condemned Saturday's deadly gun assault in Nairobi's Westgate shopping center by suspected Al-Shabab militants and pledged Interpol's full support to Kenyan authorities in their investigation, the organization said Sunday in a statement.

"This attack on a shopping center has left many innocent people dead, it is a bloodbath which will have simply appalled citizens of all nations," said Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble in the statement.

Interpol condemns this "murderous and senseless attack" and extends its "condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims," Noble added.

With Somali militant group Al-Shabab reportedly claiming responsibility for the assault,the Head of Interpol pointed to the incident as the sort of terrorist attack recently called for by Al Qaeda's presumed leader, Al Zawahiri.

The tragedy was staged on Saturday morning by Somali Islamist militants who launched a deadliest attack on the upscale shopping center frequented by wealthy Kenyans and foreigners in Kenya's capital city of Nairobi, in retaliation for the East African country's military action against the Somali militants group Al-Shabaab.

"With Kenyan security forces locked in a standoff with some of the suspected gunmen and hostages reportedly held, all requests for information from Kenyan authorities are being treated with the highest priority by the CCC and INTERPOL's Regional Bureau in Nairobi," Interpol said.

The international police organization offered to deploy an Incident Response Team consisting of specialized forensic officers, anti-terror experts and analysts after the mall attack.

Interpol said if requested, it can issue one of its color-coded international notices to alert law enforcement around the world about the modus operandi behind the attacks, to obtain additional information about individuals in relation to the investigation, missing persons, or to seek the arrest of those wanted in connection with the incident.

Latest media reports said fresh gunfire erupted from time to time in the shopping center on Sunday as Kenyans security forces are trying to push on and rescue hostages holed up by up to 15 gunmen for over 24 hours.

Kenya Red Cross Society reported that the death toll in the terror attack has soared to 68 after nine more bodies are recovered at the building on Sunday. Nearly 50 people remain unaccounted for in tense standoff between Kenyan security forces and Al-Shabaab suspects.

• Most of hostages at Nairobi mall rescued: Kenya Defense Forces
• Interpol offers to deploy anti-terror experts to probe mall attack in Kenya
• Blood donated for victims of shopping mall attack in Nairobi
• 59 killed in Nairobi mall attack: cabinet secretary
• Death toll in Nairobi mall attack rises to 43: Red Cross
• UN Security Council slams deadly terrorist attack in Kenyan capital
• Harper condemns terrorists' killing of Canadian diplomat in Kenya's mall attack
• 39 killed in Kenya mall attack, Al-Shabaab claims responsibility

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