(MENAFN- Arab News) RIYADH: The terrorist attack at the Special Emergency Forces mosque in Asir that killed 15 including 12 officers on Thursday evoked worldwide condemnation with key world leaders and prominent organizations joining Saudi society in unequivocally denouncing the barbaric act.

Deeply saddened by the loss of lives UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the bombing in strong words.
He wished the injured officers speedy recovery and expressed solidarity with the government and people of Saudi Arabia.
The UN Security Council also deplored the suicide bombing with its members stressing 'Daesh must be defeated and that the intolerance violence and hatred it espouses must be stamped out.'
The Security Council members emphasized that such 'continued acts of barbarism perpetrated by Daesh do not intimidate them rather stiffen their resolve' that there has to be a common effort among governments and institutions to counter terrorist groups.
Deputy to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Mohammed bin Naif received telephone calls from UAE's Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al-Nahya Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa Bahrain's Interior Minister Lt. Gen. Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa and Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
The leaders condemned the blast and expressed their condolences and sympathies to the families of the martyrs.
Prince Mohammed thanked all of them for their noble feelings.
The Tunis-based Council of Arab Interior Ministers expressed its denunciation of the treacherous terrorist bombing in Asir and confirmed its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in countering terrorism.
The Arab Parliament condemned the terrorist attack with Speaker Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Jarwan delporing the cowardly act.
Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim Al-Jabouri condemned the bombing and called on the Islamic world to address terrorism and counter this vicious enemy.
He extended condolences to the Kingdom and the families of the victims.
Tobias Ellwood of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UKFCO) condemned the bombing.
'I utterly condemn this attack at the mosque of the Special Emergency Forces in Asir' he said.
'I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.'
'Attacks such as this underline the need for us to continue to work with our close partners such as Saudi Arabia to eradicate such barbarous acts of violence from our societies' he added.
The European Union while condemning the attack extended its deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and its sympathy to all the wounded victims.
'The EU reiterates its commitment to continue working with Saudi Arabia together with EU member states to strengthen common efforts in countering violent extremism in all its forms' said an EU spokesperson for foreign affairs.
The spokesperson said that the terrorist threat was one of the key issues discussed by Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubair and Federica Mogherini EU high representative during their recent meeting in Riyadh.
Many countries including Pakistan Jordan Yemen Sudan Algeria and Egypt denounced the bombing.
'The people and government of Pakistan wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for speedy recovery of the injured' said a Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson in Islamabad.