SPAIN: Holding back her own tears, Queen Sofia of Spain embraced row after row of weeping mourners at yesterday's Mass in Madrid for the 190 victims of suspected Islamist bombers who struck Atocha station.
Relatives of the dead gripped hands with the queen and King Juan Carlos, whose visible distress overwhelmed both the congregation and the hundreds more who watched the service on giant screens outside.
Spain's outgoing prime minister, José Maria Aznar, sat ashen-faced through prayers, not far from his successor, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, whose opposition Socialists won elections three days after the March 11th attacks.
World leaders in attendance included the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, the French President, Mr Jacques Chirac, US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell, and the German Chancellor, Mr Gerhard Schröder.
Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco, brother of King Mohammed, stood out in a long white robe. Ten out of 13 suspects arrested over the attacks are Moroccans. - (Reuters)
A service was also held in the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin last night for the victims.