CANBERRA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has called on moderate Muslim leaders to speak out against extremism and terrorism, after she confirmed that three Australians had been injured in a terror attack in London.
Three men drove a van into Saturday night revelers on London Bridge in the British capital, before exiting the van and making their way through bars and restaurants, slashing and stabbing people enjoying a night out.
The attack took place just weeks after the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for a blast that killed 22 people at a pop concert in Manchester.
Speaking to Sky News Australia on Monday, Bishop backed calls from British Prime Minister Theresa May for Muslim leaders to publicly denounce acts of terror, saying that voices of moderate Islam had been too quiet in the wake of terror attacks.
"I believe (May) is calling on the voices of moderate Islam to be far louder than the voices of extremism, savagery and brutality, and we most certainly need to see that in our country as well," Bishop said on Monday.
"We need all Australians to condemn terrorism in all its forms we need all Australians to unite in the condemnation of the brutality and savagery of these attacks. The whole community must work together to stamp out radicalization."
Also on Monday, former Australian ambassador to the United States Kim Beazley agreed with Bishop's sentiments; he said a statement condemning IS and its actions was long overdue from those in positions of leadership within the Islamic community.
"We do need to hear from folk who represent the appropriate Islamic position," Beazley said.
Meanwhile, after initially saying that no Australians were caught up in the attack on Saturday night, Bishop confirmed that three Australians were injured, including an unidentified Australian, a Northern Territory man and a Queensland woman.
Bishop told the Seven Network that Australia's terrorism risk level would remain at "probable," after she met with high-level security experts at the weekend.
"We've seen a number of savage and brutal terror attacks in that time, so we're not immune, but we keep a constant watch on the threat assessment level and we'll advise the Australian public if there is any change."
