UPDATE - 'Distressing scenes’ in US worry Asia-Pacific nations

UPDATES WITH PAKISTAN'S REACTION

ANKARA (AA) - Leaders from Asia-Pacific region on Thursday voiced concerns over scenes of a mob storming the US Capitol when lawmakers were moving to formally declare President-elect Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 election.

In a Twitter post, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said democracy "should never be undone by a mob."

"Like so many others, I've been watching what's happening in the United States. I share the sentiment of friends in the US - what is happening is wrong," Ardern wrote on Twitter.

"Democracy -- the right of people to exercise a vote, have their voice heard and then have that decision upheld peacefully -- should never be undone by a mob. Our thoughts are with everyone who is as devastated as we are by the events of today. I have no doubt democracy will prevail," she added.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also condemned "very distressing scenes at the US Congress."

"We condemn these acts of violence and look forward to a peaceful transfer of Government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition," Morrison wrote on Twitter.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the democratic process should not be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests.

"Distressed to see news about rioting and violence in Washington DC. Orderly and peaceful transfer of power must continue. The democratic process cannot be allowed to be subverted through unlawful protests," Modi twitted.

Meanwhile, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato also expressed concern over the situation in Washington and hoped for peaceful transfer of power.

Pakistan also hoped that the situation in the US will soon turn to normal.

"We are closely following the developments in Washington DC. We are hopeful that the situation will soon normalize and would not in any way impact the ongoing transition process," Foreign Ministry spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri told reporters during his weekly briefing.

On Wednesday, scenes of thousands of President Donald Trump's supporters clashing with police outside the Capitol building gave way to even more chaos as protesters overwhelmed law enforcement, breached the Capitol's doors and windows, and eventually made their way to the Senate floor.

Photos on social media showed security guards drawing pistols as rioters attempted to breach the House chamber, where vote counting was to take place.

At least four people died after the mob breached the building, including one woman shot by Capitol Police.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid