Syria condemns mass shootings at 2 mosques in New Zealand

DAMASCUS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the deadly shootings at two mosques in news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new Zealand on Friday, calling it a coward action, state news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">news agency SANA reported.

In a statement, the ministry said this terrorist and racist crime requires efforts to eliminate terrorism and counter radical ideas and hate crimes that target Islam.

Earlier in the day, at least 49 people were killed and 20 others seriously injured in mass shootings at two mosques in news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new Zealand's city of Christchurch.

The attack was launched at lunchtime when mosques were full of worshippers.