Paris attacks a 'violation of all religions': Saudi FM

Vienna, Nov 14: The "heinous" Paris attacks are a violation of all religions and underline the need to intensify efforts against "terrorism", Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said today as he arrived in Vienna for talks on ending Syria's civil war.

"I wanted to express our condolences to the government and people of France for the heinous terrorist attacks that took place yesterday which are in violation and contravention of all ethics, morals and religions," Adel al-Jubeir told reporters in Vienna.

"The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has long called for more intensified international efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and shapes," he said. The talks in Vienna involving some 20 countries and international organisations -- but no Syrian representatives -- are aimed at working out a roadmap to end the country's bloody civil war after almost five years of combat.

But there are deep divisions, notably between Iran and Russia on one side and Western and Arab nations on the other, on the future of President Bashar al-Assad and which opposition groups to back.

Witnesses said that the gunmen who killed at least 120 people in the attacks late Friday in Paris shouted "Allahu akbar" ("God is greatest") and blamed France's military intervention in Syria against Islamic State (IS) extremists.

AFP