Canada shooting 'a senseless act of violence': New Zealand

Wellington, Oct 23: New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key Thursday described the shooting incident near Canadian Parliament as "a senseless act of violence".

"The reasons behind the fatal shooting in Ottawa this morning are not yet known, but it is clearly a senseless act of violence," Xinhua quoted Key as saying in a statement.

"I wish to extend New Zealand's sincere condolences to the people of Canada who will be shaken by this violent act. I will personally extend those thoughts and wishes to Prime Minister ( Stephen) Harper," he said.

"New Zealand and Canada have a long standing warm and close relationship and today we stand beside them in solidarity."

Parliament Hill in Canada's capital Ottawa came under attack Wednesday after a gunman shot dead a soldier standing guard at the National War Memorial, before seizing a car and driving to the doors of Parliament Hill's Centre Block nearby.

IANS