10/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - At the opening of the plenary session in Strasbourg on Monday 9 March, European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering condemned the attack carried out two days previously on a military base in Northern Ireland. “This murderous attack on the security forces in Northern Ireland is an utterly despicable act which I condemn in the strongest possible terms. Our sympathies go immediately to the families and loved ones of the murdered soldiers who gave their lives in the service of their community,” he said. He went on to say that the murderers, whose acts have been strongly condemned by the vast majority of the people had to be brought to justice. James Nicholson (EPP-ED, UK), Liam Aylward (UEN, Ireland) and Jim Allister (non-attached, UK) also condemned the attack and gave their support to the peace process in the country. A minute's silence was then observed. (L.C./transl.rt)