ISTANBUL

France on Friday condemned the "terrorist" attack at a mosque in Syria, calling it a "deliberate strategy aimed at destabilizing" the country and "transitional authorities."

"France condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack carried out today at the Imam Ali Mosque in Homs, which reportedly killed at least eight worshippers. This abhorrent terrorist act, like the one that targeted the Mar Elias Church in Damascus last June, is part of a deliberate strategy aimed at destabilizing Syria and the transitional authorities," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

It said that France denounced the attacks seeking to "spread terror and undermine ongoing efforts" to establish peace and stability within a "unified and pluralistic Syria."

"France reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating all forms of violent extremism and its action against terrorism in Syria alongside its partners in the International Coalition against Daesh, as well as its support for the continuation of the political transition," the ministry added.

Earlier in the day, at least eight people were killed and 18 others injured in the incident at the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque on Al-Khodari Street in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood of Homs.

The new Syrian administration is working to tighten security conditions nationwide and to pursue remnants of the former regime accused of stirring security unrest.

Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963. A new transitional administration headed by President Ahmad al-Sharaa was formed in January.