Together we will make it, PM tells Norway as first victim is buried

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12 April 2012

"Together we will make it," Norway's Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg told the nation today at a memorial service for the 76 victims of last Friday's bomb and shooting massacre.

Mr Stoltenberg called for national unity at a ceremony at the "People's House" assembly hall in Oslo.

He said: "Today it is one week since Norway was struck by evil. We have to live with July 22, but together we will make it."

Mr Stoltenberg hailed the victims as "heroes" and told those present - including members of their families - that Norway's response would be "more democracy".

He was speaking from a stage adorned with red roses, the symbol of his Labour Party, whose young members were gunned down on Utoya island.

Eskil Pedersen, leader of the youth-wing, said the gunman had attacked Norway's core values, of democracy, tolerance and fighting racism. But he added: "Long before he stands before a court we can say: 'He has lost.'"

Mr Pedersen said the youth organisation would return to Utoya next year for its annual gathering.

In the first funerals Bano Rashid, 18, was buried near Oslo today and Ismail Haji Ahmed, 19, was laid to rest in the south-western town of Hamar. Both died at the youth camp.

Suspect Anders Behring Breivik was today taken from jail to police headquarters in Oslo for questioning. Investigators believe the 32-year-old Norwegian acted alone and have not yet uncovered any evidence to support his claims that he is part of an anti-Muslim militant network plotting attacks across Europe.

He has admitted carrying out the attacks but pleaded not guilty to terror charges. Norway's chief prosecutor, Tor Aksel Busch, said he does not expect Breivik's trial to take place until next year.

Norway's police confirmed that all those killed have been identified and those who had been reported missing have been accounted for.

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