Vucic sends condolences after 50 die in U.S. mass shooting

Vucic sends condolences after 50 die in U.S. mass shooting

"We were horrified and shaken by the news of the criminal terrorist attack that took place in Orlando in which dozens of innocent people lost their lives or were seriously injured. On behalf of the government of the Republic of Serbia and on my own behalf, I wish to convey expressions of sincere condolences," Vucic wrote, adding:

"An attack on any person, just because of their identity, is the attack on the core values that define us as a civilised society that we strongly advocate and in which there is no room for hatred towards anyone, and especially not towards members of minority communities."

"Serbia is in pain and sorrow with the people of America today and is ready to contribute in the fight against omnipresent terrorism and extremism. On behalf of the government and the people of Serbia, please convey our sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones, " Vucic's message reads.

The Orlando shooter has been identified as 29-year-old New York-born Omar Mateen, whose family immigrated to the U.S. from Afghanistan.

According to reports, he called emergency services before the attack "swearing his allegiance to Islamic State."

Islamic State subsequently claimed responsibility for the massacre, but Florida's senator said that their involvement had not yet been confirmed.

The attacker, who was killed by the police, used an AR-15 rifle that he acquired legally last week.

CNN reported that Mateen's parents told the media he "expressed outrage after seeing two men kiss in Miami" but that they "did not consider him particularly religious and did not know of any connection he had to ISIS."

His former wife described him as abusive and mentally unstable.

U.S. President Barack Obama said the attack was "an act of terror and hatred," and stressed that the investigation was ongoing.

Republican candidate for president Donald Trump reacted by calling for a ban on entry of Muslims to the United States, as he had done after last year's terrorist attacks in Paris.

Many world leaders condemned the attack in the strongest terms, including Russian, French, and Afghan presidents, Belgian and Italian prime ministers, and Roman Catholic Pope Francis. Muslim and LGBT leaders in the U.S. also condemned the massacre.