Muslim leader mourns slain priest 'friend' in France

July 26, 2016 23:57

The imam of the mosque in the northern French town where a church was attacked today said he was "stunned" by the murder of the local priest, who he described as a friend.

"I don't understand, all of our prayers go to his family and the Catholic community," said Mohammed Karabila.

Two armed men stormed the church during morning mass in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, taking at least five people hostage before slitting the priest's throat and leaving another person in a critical condition.

The attackers, who the Islamic State group described as "soldiers" for the jihadist movement, were shot dead by police.

Karabila said he was "stunned by the death of my friend. He was someone who gave his life to others. We are dumbfounded at the mosque."

He said he and Jacques Hamel, who was in his eighties, had met on several occasions and had been part of an interfaith committee for the past 18 months.

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