World stunned by Trump supporters storming US Capitol in Washington

World leaders expressed their shock as supporters of US President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol building where Congress meets in an attempt to overturn the results of the November 3 election won by Joe Biden.Iran's president said it proved the weakness of Western democracy, while officials in China and Russia compared the storming to protests in Hong Kong and Ukraine.Here are reactions from around the world:UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "saddened" by the events at the US Capitol, his spokesman said."In such circumstances, it is important that political leaders impress on their followers the need to refrain from violence, as well as to respect democratic processes and the rule of law," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.China drew a comparison between the storming of the US Capitol and last year's often-violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, but noted that no one had died when demonstrators took over the legislature of the China-ruled city. Four people died in the Washington violence, police said."We also wish that US people can enjoy peace, stability and security as soon as possible," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily briefing."Quite Maidan-style pictures are coming from DC," Russia's deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy posted on Twitter, referring to protests in Ukraine that toppled Russian-backed President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovich in 2014."Some of my friends ask whether someone will distribute crackers to the protesters to echo the Victoria Nuland stunt," he said, citing a 2013 visit to Ukraine when then-US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland offered food to protesters."We decline to comment on President Trump's political style as this is about US domestic affairs," Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters."But we hope to see democracy in the United States overcome this difficult situation, calmness and harmony regained, and a peaceful and democratic transfer of power."The riots in which participants stormed the Capitol building are the opposite of American and Israeli values, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday, the morning after the violent events in Washington.“For generations American democracy has inspired millions around the world and in Israel. American democracy has always inspired me,” he said at the opening of a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. “Lawlessness and violence are the opposite of the values we know Americans and Israelis cherish.”Netanyahu said storming of Capitol Hill “was shameful and must be vigorously condemned.”“I have no doubt that American democracy will prevail - it always has,” the prime minister added.Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that "the photos from Washington hurt the heart of anyone who believes in democracy."I didn’t believe it when I saw such photos from the strongest democracy in the world," he added. "This is proof that before political rivalry, we must agree on the rules of the game: preserving the rule of law, respecting democratic processes and a respectful discourse."Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said he was "shocked" by the rioting at "the fortress of world democracy.""From its founding, America, our great strong ally, has been a beacon of democracy and values of freedom, justice and independence," Ashkenazi said. "I am sure that the American people and its representatives will know how to repel the attack and continue strongly defending the values on which America was founded, which are important to all of us."
"What happened today in Washington DC is not American, definitely," French President Emmanuel Macron said in a video message on Twitter."We believe in the strength of our democracies. We believe in the strength of American democracy," he said, speaking in English.German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said democracy's enemies would be cheered by scenes of violence at the United States Capitol, and he called on Trump to accept US voters' decision.In a tweet, Maas said the violence had been caused by inflammatory rhetoric. "Trump and his supporters must accept the decision of American voters at last and stop trampling on democracy."NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called the violent protests in Washington "shocking scenes" and said the outcome of the democratic US election must be respected.Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a tweet: "I am following with concern the news that are coming from Capitol Hill in Washington. I trust in the strength of America's democracy."The new Presidency of @JoeBiden will overcome this time of tension, uniting the American people."Ireland's foreign minister Simon Coveney called the scenes in Washington "a deliberate assault on Democracy by a sitting President & his supporters, attempting to overturn a free & fair election! The world is watching! We hope for restoration of calm."Turkey's foreign ministry issued a statement expressing concern about the violence and called for calm and common sense while urging its citizens to avoid crowds and the protest area.Charles Michel, chairman of EU leaders, on Twitter expressed his shock at the scenes in Washington. "The US Congress is a temple of democracy...We trust the US to ensure a peaceful transfer of power to @JoeBiden"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "I believe in the strength of US institutions and democracy. Peaceful transition of power is at the core. @JoeBiden won the election. I look forward to working with him as the next President of the USA."