Comoros President Slightly Injured in Knife Attack, Spokesperson Says

Comoros President Azali Assoumani addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York, US, September 20, 2023. (Reuters)
Comoros President Azali Assoumani addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York, US, September 20, 2023. (Reuters)
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Comoros President Slightly Injured in Knife Attack, Spokesperson Says

Comoros President Azali Assoumani addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York, US, September 20, 2023. (Reuters)
Comoros President Azali Assoumani addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York, US, September 20, 2023. (Reuters)

Comoros President Azali Assoumani was slightly injured in a knife attack on Friday, the archipelago nation's government spokesperson said, adding that the attacker has been taken into custody.

The incident occurred around 2 p.m. (1100 GMT) in Salimani Itsandra, a town just north of the capital Moroni, a local source told Reuters.

"President Azali Assoumani was slightly injured with a knife during the funeral of a great sheikh of the country. His injuries are not serious and he has returned home," government spokesperson Fatima Ahamada told Reuters.

The motive for the attack was not immediately clear.

The source from the town of Salimani Itsandra added that the attacker is a former policeman in his 20s.



EU Mulls Steps Against Iran's Aviation Sector

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell speaks during a press conference in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 12 September 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell speaks during a press conference in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 12 September 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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EU Mulls Steps Against Iran's Aviation Sector

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell speaks during a press conference in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 12 September 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell speaks during a press conference in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 12 September 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

The European Union is considering sanctions targeting Iran's aviation sector, the bloc's chief diplomat said on Friday in reaction to reports Tehran supplied Russia with ballistic missiles in its war against Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said Russia received ballistic missiles from Iran and would likely use them in Moscow's war against Ukraine within weeks, a charge Iran has denied.

"The European Union has repeatedly strongly cautioned Iran against transfers of ballistic missiles to Russia," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement, adding the EU would "respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners.”

Iran's government on Thursday summoned the envoys of Britain, France, Germany and the Netherlands over their accusations that Tehran supplied short-range ballistic missiles to Russia.

State-run IRNA news agency reported that the country’s foreign ministry summoned the envoys separately to strongly condemn the accusations.