(VOVWORLD) -World leaders mourned the killing of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, who was shot in the back while campaigning for a Liberal Democratic Party candidate in western Japan Friday. Abe, the country's longest-serving prime minister, was 67.
In a statement on Friday, US President Joe Biden said "I am stunned, outraged, and deeply saddened by the news that my friend Abe Shinzo, former prime minister of Japan, was shot and killed while campaigning," and added "the United States stands with Japan in this moment of grief."
President Biden ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House, federal buildings, public spaces, and military facilities through Sunday in memory of the former Japanese prime minister.
Malaysian King Abdullah Shah and Queen Azizah Iskandariah offered condolences to the family of Mr. Abe. Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob conveyed his deepest condolences to the Government and people of Japan on the passing of the former Prime Minister.
Other leaders in Asia including Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen sent their condolences to the people of Japan and the family of Mr. Abe.
The leaders of New Zealand, Pakistan, Brazil, and Serbia condemned the assassination and sent condolences to the Government, people and family of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.