Queen Elizabeth reacts to the murder of former prime minister of Japan

Queen Elizabeth on Friday expressed sorrow over

the assassination of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.

In a statement issued by the Buckingham Palace, she said,

"My family and I were deeply saddened to hear the news of

the sudden and tragic death of former prime minister."

She said, "I have fond memories of meeting Mr Abe and

his wife during their visit to the United Kingdom in 2006."

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the longest-serving leader of modern Japan,

was gunned down on Friday while campaigning for a parliamentary election,