Dharamsala, Jul 24 (IANS): Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama condoled the deaths of over 90 people in Norway, saying the Tibetans have a "close connection" with Norwegians.

The Dalai Lama expressed his sadness and shock on learning of the tragedy, an official statement Sunday said.

A bomb blast Friday rocked the Norwegian capital Oslo killing seven people. Later in a shooting spree, a right-wing Christian, identified as Anders Behring Breivik, killed at least 85 people at a youth camp in Utoya Island.

In a letter to Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg dated July 23, the Dalai Lama conveyed his prayers for those who had lost their lives and to the bereaved families as well as those affected by these "dastardly acts of senseless violence".

He expressed his "solidarity with the Prime Minister and the people of Norway with whom the Tibetans have a special and close connection".

Breivik, 32, confessed to the shooting spree and police suspect that he engineered the bomb attack as well.

The Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 in Oslo.