(Reuters) – World leaders have expressed shock after supporters of US President Donald Trump, encouraged by him, stormed the US Capitol building as Congress meets to certify the November 3 election results , which he lost to Joe Biden.

Among opponents, China compared the violence to protests in Hong Kong, Russia said it showed the weakness of Western democracy, and Iran called Trump an unchecked threat to global security. U.S. allies condemned the attack, as well as Trump, but said American democracy would eventually reassert itself.

RUSSIA

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova: “The electoral system in the United States is archaic, it does not meet modern democratic standards, which creates opportunities for many violations, and the American media has become a instrument of political struggle. “

Konstantin Kosachyov, Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian Upper House: “The celebration of democracy is over. This is, alas, in fact the bottom, I say this without a hint of jubilation. America is no longer leading the way and has therefore lost all rights to trace it. And above all to impose it on others.

CHINA

China drew a comparison between the storming of the Capitol and the often violent pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, which were quelled by the coronavirus pandemic and a security crackdown from Beijing.

“We also want the American people to enjoy peace, stability and security as quickly as possible,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

IRAN

“What happened in America has shown how failed Western democracy is … A populist man has damaged the reputation of his country,” President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted: “A rogue president who sought revenge on his own people has done much worse to our people – and others – in the past 4 years. What is disturbing is that the same man has the UNCONTROLLED power to start nuclear war; a security problem for the entire international community. “

ZIMBABWE

President Emmerson Mnangagwa tweeted: “Last year President Trump extended the harsh economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, citing concerns about democracy in Zimbabwe. The events of yesterday showed that the United States has no moral right to punish another nation under the pretext of defending democracy. “

THE UNITED NATIONS

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was “saddened” by the events on the US Capitol, his spokesman said.

“In such circumstances, it is important for political leaders to stress to their supporters the need to refrain from all violence, as well as to respect democratic processes and the rule of law,” said Stéphane Dujarric.

GERMANY

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said enemies of democracy would be cheered by scenes of violence in Washington, but also hinted at Germany’s own recent experience with far-right attacks and a protest by extreme right which forced its way into the steps of parliament, the Reichstag. , in August.

“It would be neat to point the finger at America alone,” he tweeted. “Even here in Hanau, Halle, on the Reichstag steps, we must have experienced how agitation and inflammatory words turn into acts of hate.

Chancellor Angela Merkel said: “One of the basic rules of democracy is that after elections there is a winner and a loser.”

FRANCE

“What happened today in Washington DC is certainly not American,” President Emmanuel Macron said in a video message, in English, on Twitter. “We believe in the strength of our democracies. We believe in the strength of American democracy. “

MEXICO

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador declared: “We are not going to intervene in these questions, which it is for the Americans to solve … We hope that there will be peace, that democracy, which is the power of the people, shall prevail. ” He also accused social media companies of “censorship” after they locked Trump accounts.

BRAZIL

“Basically what was … the cause of the whole crisis?” Lack of confidence in the vote, ”President Jair Bolsonaro told supporters outside his residence. “Here in Brazil, if you have electronic voting, it will be the same. Fraud exists. “

ITALY

“I supported the ideas and the positions of the Republicans, of the conservatives, of Trump,” said the leader of the far-right League party, Matteo Salvini. “But a legitimate vote is one thing, going to parliament and confronting the police is a whole other matter. This is not a political vision, it is madness.

BRITTANY

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted that the events were a ‘disgrace’, that the United States stood up for democracy in the world and that it was vital that there be an orderly transfer of power.

IRELAND

Foreign Minister Simon Coveney called the Washington scenes “a deliberate assault on democracy by a sitting president and his supporters, trying to overturn free and fair elections!”

EUROPEAN UNION

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted: “I believe in the strength of American institutions and democracy. A peaceful transition of power is at the heart. @JoeBiden won the election. I look forward to working with him as the next President of the United States.

CZECH REPUBLIC

Prime Minister Andrej Babis removed from his social media accounts the image of a red “Strong Czechia” hat inspired by Trump’s “Make America Great Again” cap. He said he was responding to “the unprecedented attack on democracy in the United States, which I unequivocally condemned”.

ISRAEL

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi tweeted, “I am sure the American people and their elected officials will repel this attack and continue to stand up for the values ​​on which the United States was founded.”

INDIA

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “The democratic process cannot be hijacked by illegal demonstrations.”

JAPAN

Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters, “We hope to see democracy in the United States overcome this difficult situation, regain calm and harmony and a peaceful and democratic transfer of power.”

AUSTRALIA

Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted: “We condemn these acts of violence and look forward to a peaceful transfer of government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition.”

NEW ZEALAND

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tweeted: “Democracy – the right of people to vote, to have their voices heard and to have that decision then upheld peacefully – should never be overruled by a crowd.”

VENEZUELA

Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza tweeted: “Venezuela … condemns political polarization and hopes the American people will open a new path to stability and social justice.”

ARGENTINA

President Alberto Fernandez condemned “the serious acts of violence and the affront to Congress”, adding: “We are convinced that there will be a peaceful transition which respects the popular will”.