Adversaries -- Even Cuba -- Set Beefs Aside to Mourn Boston Marathon

April 17, 2013— -- With expressions of sympathy pouring into Boston in the wake of Monday's deadly bombings, even nations and groups that have historically been at odds with the United States took a moment to offer their condolences.

Cuban Foreign Ministry official Josefina Vidal sent "the most heartfelt condolences of the people and government of Cuba to the people and government of the United States, particularly those directly affected by this tragedy."

The Freedom and Justice Party, the political wing of the Cairo-based Muslim Brotherhood, although suggesting the bombings might be tied to recent events in Mali, Syria, Iraq and Turkey, offered a statement in English:

"The Freedom and Justice Party categorically rejects as intolerable the bombings committed in the U.S. city of Boston. The FJP offers heartfelt sympathies and solemn condolences to the American people and the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured."

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With a Chinese graduate student at Boston University among the fatalities, a Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman offered her nation's sympathies at a media briefing. "We extend our deep condolences and sincere regards to the victims and their relatives," she said.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told state media the attacks were "a source of sorrow," and said, "acts of extremism and terrorism have to be uprooted across the world and no effort should be made to justify violence."

Not surprisingly, Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, who recently accused the United States of cooperating with the Taliban in an effort to keep U.S. troops in the country, denounced the attacks, expressing his grief for the victims.

"Having suffered from terrorist attacks and civilian casualties for years, our people feel better the pain and suffering arising from such incidents," Karzai said in a statement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, the subject of strained relations with the United States, also decried the attacks and offered to assist the United States with its investigation into the bombing.

"Vladimir Putin strongly condemned this barbaric crime and expressed his belief that the fight against terrorism requires the coordination of the global community's efforts," a statement posted on the Kremlin's official website said. "The President of Russia stressed that the Russian Federation will be ready, if necessary, to assist in the US authorities' investigation."

It's not the first time that nations harboring chilly diplomatic relations with the United States have cast aside their differences to express sympathy.

Now-deceased Palestinian President Yasser Arafat told reporters in Gaza in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, "we completely condemn this very dangerous attack, and I convey my condolences to the American people, to the American President and to the American administration, not only in my name but on behalf the Palestinian people."

Putin was the first world leader to offer his condolences to George W. Bush in the aftermath of 9/11. "In the name of Russia, I want to say to the American people, we are with you," he said in a televised address.

The Associated Press contributed to this report