Europe

Europe

Arrested youth camp shooter is Norwegian - justice minister

22 July 2011 23:58 (UTC +04:00)

The man opened fire at random at the camp hosted by the ruling Labor Party on an island near Oslo on Friday afternoon. Witnesses were quoted by NRK as saying the attacked was tall, blond and spoke eastern Norwegian dialect.

Police have confirmed only ten deaths in the shooting, while a witness told NRK he had seen between "20 and 25" dead bodies at the camp.

Storberget said police did not know whether the man acted alone or there were others involved in the attack.

Police believe the camp shooting and a blast that hit a government headquarters in central Oslo earlier on Friday were linked.

At least seven people were killed in Oslo when a suspected car bomb exploded near the office of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. The premier is unharmed.

A group called "Helpers of Global Jihad" has issued a statement claiming responsibility for the Oslo bombing, but the claim could not be confirmed.

NATO member Norway has taken part in operations in both Libya and Afghanistan. About 400 Norwegian soldiers are serving as part of the NATO-led international force in Afghanistan.

Norway outraged many Muslims in 2006 when papers in the country published cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.