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First Minister to chair special meeting in wake of Paris attacks

Police activity by the Bataclan concert hall, Paris, one of the venues for the attacks in the French capital which are feared to have killed around 120 people.
Police activity by the Bataclan concert hall, Paris, one of the venues for the attacks in the French capital which are feared to have killed around 120 people.

Nicola Sturgeon will chair a meeting of the Scottish Government’s resilience committee later today in the wake of the Paris attacks.

The First Minister described the incident, in which at least 127 people were killed, as “unspeakably awful”.

France has declared a national state of emergency after gun and bomb attacks across the capital on Friday night.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme, Ms Sturgeon said: “This is an unspeakably awful event.

“I think everybody waking up this morning will be deeply shocked and obviously our thoughts, our prayers, our solidarity are with the people of Paris and indeed the people of France today.

“France has had to bear more than what any country should be expected to over the course of this year so this is awful beyond words.

“On behalf of the Scottish Government and I am sure this will be the case for governments across the world, we stand ready to help in any way that we can.”

Ms Sturgeon will be briefed by police on any security implications as a result of the attacks at a meeting of the resilience committee today, while the Scottish Government continues to liaise closely with the UK Government.

“We shouldn’t be alarmist,” she added.

“We, like any country, will review matters in light of an event like this, and we will want to be in a position of giving people the assurances they need.

“What we shouldn’t do … is turn on each other. Our Muslim community here are a valued and integral part of our society.”

A vigil for the victims of the attacks is due to take place in Glasgow’s George Square at 4pm.

Meanwhile, a book of condolence has been opened at the French Consulate in Edinburgh.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale was among those who laid flowers there.

Her message on behalf of the party read: “In solidarity with liberte, egalite, fraternite”.

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Dr Angus Morrison, said: “News of the latest terrorist attacks in France have shocked and appalled us all.

“My heart – and I speak for us all in the Church of Scotland – goes out in deepest sympathy to all who have lost family members and friends and to those who have been injured in this atrocity.

“Such assaults are an attack on us all and on the values we cherish. In our divided world the task of peacemaking has never been more important.”