World leaders condemned the violence that took place Wednesday night in Washington, as supporters of Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building. Some denounced the 'attack on democracy' and others called for respect for the outcome of the presidential election, which was won by Joe Biden.

-Britain-

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter, "Shameful scenes in the US Congress. The United States supports democracy around the world and it is now important to have a peaceful and orderly transition of power."

"The United States is rightfully proud of its democracy, and there can be no justification for these violent attempts to thwart the legal and proper transfer of power," British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Twitter.

- European Union -

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted, "I believe in the power and democracy of American institutions. A peaceful transfer of power is their essence. Joe Biden won the election. I look forward to working with him as the next president of the United States."

European Union Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said that what happened in the Capitol was "an attack on American democracy."

European Council President Charles Michel said, "Watching the events tonight in Washington is a shock. We are counting on the United States to allow a peaceful transfer of power to Joe Biden."

-United Nations-

Stefan Dujarric, a spokesman for Antonio Guterres, said the UN Secretary-General had "saddened him" the storming of the Capitol.

"In such circumstances, it is important for politicians to make their supporters understand the need to avoid violence and respect democratic processes and the rule of law," he added in a statement.

-China-

Thursday, China expressed its hope for a "return of order" in the United States after the scenes of chaos in the Capitol Building, comparing the situation in Washington to the pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong.

In response to a question about supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump storming the Congress building on Wednesday and the chaos and violence that accompanied it, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Hua Shunying, said that these scenes are "familiar," reminiscent of the events in Hong Kong.

But she pointed out that "the reaction of some people in the United States, including some in the media, was completely different" this time.

-Russia-

"The losing party has more than enough reasons to accuse the winners of fraud, and it is clear that American democracy is faltering," said the head of the Russian Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.

"The Democracy Feast is over," Konstantin Kosachev added on Facebook. "Unfortunately, it has reached rock bottom, and I say this without an iota of jubilation. America has lost its way and therefore no longer has the right to determine the path and impose it on others."

-Iran-

Thursday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani saw Western democracy as "fragile and weak," warning of the rise of "populism" in the wake of unrest sparked by Trump supporters at the Capitol Building in Washington.

"What we noticed in the United States last night and today, first and foremost, showed the weakness and fragility of Western democracy," Rouhani said in a speech broadcast on the state television.

-Israeli Occupation-

Thursday, Israeli Occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the events of the Capitol Building in Washington a "disgraceful act" and should be strongly condemned.

He added during a press conference in Occupied Jerusalem with US Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin, "American democracy will triumph as it has always been. It always inspired me."

-France-

"We will not surrender to the violence of a few who want to question democracy," French President Emmanuel Macron said in a video clip.

"When supporters of an outgoing president in one of the oldest democracies in the world question the power of arms, the legitimate results of the elections, it is a global idea, the idea of one man and one vote that has been defeated," he added.

-Germany-

German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed Thursday her "sadness" and "anger" after the storming of the Capitol building in Washington, blaming the outgoing US president some of the responsibility.

Merkel announced to reporters that "doubts were fueled about the election results and created an atmosphere that paved the way for the events" of Washington.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called on Trump's supporters to "stop trampling on democracy."

He added, "The enemies of democracy will be happy to see these horrific images from Washington," warning that "the inflammatory rhetoric turns into acts of violence."

In turn, Olaf Schultz, the German Finance Minister and Deputy Merkel, denounced the "disturbing scenes" in Washington, saying the storming of the Capitol was "an intolerable assault on democracy."

-Canada-

"Canadians are very concerned and sad about the attack on democracy in the United States, our closest ally and our neighboring country," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Twitter. "Violence will never succeed in bringing down the people's will," he added.

-Australia-

The Australian Prime Minister denounced "the very painful scenes in the American Congress."

"We condemn these acts of violence and look forward to a peaceful transfer of power to the newly elected administration in accordance with the American democratic tradition," Scott Morrison wrote on Twitter.

-NATO-

"Shocking scenes in Washington," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a tweet on Twitter, adding, "The outcome of this election must be respected."

-Italy-

"Violence interferes with the exercise of democratic rights and freedoms. I have confidence in the strength and durability of the institutions of the United States," Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte wrote on Twitter.

"It is a real shame for democracy and an assault on the freedoms of the American people," said Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio.

-Spain-

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Twitter, "I am following with concern the information coming from the Capitol in Washington." "I have confidence in the strength of American democracy. The new administration of Joe Biden will overcome this moment of tension by uniting the American people," he added.

-Ireland-

Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin recalled the "deep relationship" between his country and the United States, saying that he watched events in Washington "with great concern and fear."

"Very horrific and sad scenes in Washington that we should call what they are: a deliberate assault on democracy by an incumbent president and his supporters, in an attempt to cancel free and fair elections!" Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said on Twitter. "The world is watching! We hope to restore calm," he added.

-Turkey-

For its part, the Turkish Foreign Ministry called in a statement "all parties in the United States to exercise caution," adding, "We believe that the United States will emerge from this internal political crisis in a mature manner."

-Netherlands-

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte described what happened in the US capital with "horrific" scenes, calling on Trump to "recognize immediately that Joe Biden is the next president."

-Norway-

In turn, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg described the storming of the Capitol as "a totally unacceptable attack on democracy in the United States. President Trump bears responsibility for stopping this matter. Scary pictures. It is unbelievable that this is the United States."

-Poland-

Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Twitter that the violence at the Capitol was "an internal problem of the United States."

"Poland believes in the strength of American democracy," added this close ally of Donald Trump, who waited more than a month before congratulating Joe Biden on winning the presidential election.

-Hungary-

"The horrific pictures of the Capitol must be remembered all over the world before, during and after any elections," Hungarian Minister of Families Affairs Catalin Novak wrote on Twitter.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was one of the few European Union leaders who backed Donald Trump before the election, before congratulating Joe Biden on his victory.