Vietnam on Jan. 4 expressed deep condolences to Egypt and condemned the suicide attack in front of the Christian church of Al-Qiddissin in Egypt ’s northern city of Alexandria on New Year’s Day.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet sent a message of sympathy to his Egyptian counterpart Mohammed Hosni Mubarak over the terrorist bombing that killed 22 people and injured dozens.

The Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Nguyen Phuong Nga, while answering reporters’ questions on Vietnam ’s response to the church attack, said: “ Vietnam strongly condemns the terrorist bombing.” “We extend our deep sympathy to the Egyptian Government and families of victims,” she said

She affirmed that terrorists must be punished adequately./.