UPDATES WITH REACTIONS
By Ali Abo Rezeg and Mahmoud Barakat
ANKARA (AA) – At least four people were injured in what French officials described as a “bomb attack” during a ceremony in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah city on Wednesday, according to media reports.
France’s Foreign Ministry said the attack took place during a ceremony attended by foreign diplomats to commemorate the end of World War I.
"The annual ceremony commemorating the end of World War I at the non-Muslim cemetery in Jeddah, attended by several consulates, including that of France, was the target of an IED [improvised explosive device] attack this morning, which injured several people," the ministry said in a statement.
No more details regarding the incident have surfaced so far.
For its part, the Emirate of Mecca Province described the incident as "a coward attack", adding that an investigation has been launched into it.
The embassies of France, Greece, Italy, the UK and the US condemned the attack in a joint press release.
The embassies "which were associated with this commemoration strongly condemn this coward attack. Such attacks on innocent people are shameful and entirely without justification," the statement read.
The embassies wished a speedy recovery for the injured and thanked "the brave Saudi first responders who assisted those at the scene".
The five countries also pledged support for Saudi authorities in their investigations.