Kim Jong-un condemns US strike in Syria

Pyongyang April 17 (IANS) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Monday condemned the military strikes by the US in Syria.

In a message to President Bashar al-Assad on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of Syrian independence Kim termed as a reckless act of invasion the April 7 US attack on a Syrian regime air base in apparent retaliation for its alleged use of chemical weapons on civilians.

It was the first time that Kim has personally criticised Washington s military action and the message -- published by North Korea s state-run news agency KCNA -- came on the same day as US Vice President Mike Pence s statement warning Pyongyang against putting to test the US resolve as made evident in recent bombings in Syria and Afghanistan Efe news reported.

In the message Kim -- in a new show of friendly relations between the two leaders -- also expressed his strong support and solidarity with the efforts of the Syrian government and people towards attaining justice.

The agency added that al-Assad had also sent two congratulatory messages to Kim last week on the occasion of the 105th birth anniversary of North Korea s founder Kim Il-sung.

--IANS
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