Saudi, Gulf States, OIC Condemn Boston Bombings

Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation all condemned on Tuesday the twin bombings at the Boston Marathon, calling them an act of terrorism.

Three people were killed and more than 170 wounded in the bombings in the worst attack in the United States since the September 11, 2001 atrocities.

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia sent a message of condolences to the American people, saying he was "saddened by the news of the two explosions in Boston," state news agency SPA reported.

"We condemn these acts of terrorism targeting innocent people and committed by criminals who represent only themselves and have neither religion nor faith."

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary general of the Saudi-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation of 57 Muslim states, said in a statement that "such actions targeting an event are cowardly and reprehensible."

And Abdelatif Zayani, secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, condemned "cowardly terrorist acts that go against all values and principles."

The GCC groups Saudi Arabia, as well as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.