Security Council

5798^th Meeting* (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL STRONGLY CONDEMNS TODAY’S TERRORIST ATTACK IN ALGIERS

Reiterates Determination to Combat All Forms of Terrorism, Underlines

Need to Bring Perpetrators, Organizers, Financiers, Sponsors to Justice

The Security Council this afternoon condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks that occurred in Algiers earlier today near the Supreme Court and United Nations offices, causing numerous deaths and injuries.

Through a statement read by its President for the month, Marcello Spatafora ( Italy), the Council expressed its deep sympathy and condolences to the victims of that heinous terrorist act and their families, to the people and Government of Algeria, and to United Nations staff and their families.

The Council reiterated its determination to combat all forms of terrorism, and underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of today’s reprehensible act to justice.  It urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005), to cooperate actively with the Algerian authorities.

The 15-member body reaffirmed that any acts of terrorism were criminal and unjustifiable, as well as the need to combat, by all means, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.  At the same time, it reminded States that any measures taken to combat terrorism must comply with all their international law obligations, particularly international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

The meeting began at 12:40 p.m. and ended at 12:44 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of the presidential statement, to be issued as S/PRST/2007/45, reads, as follows:

“The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks that occurred in Algiers, on 11 December 2007, near the Supreme Court and the UN offices, causing numerous deaths and injuries, and expresses its deep sympathy and condolences to the victims of this heinous act of terrorism and their families, and to the people and the Government of Algeria.  The Security Council expresses its deep sympathy and condolences to the UN staff, and their families, who were among the victims in one of these attacks, and to the Secretary General.

“The Security Council underlines the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism to justice, and urges all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and resolution 1373 (2001) and consistent with resolution 1624 (2005), to cooperate actively with the Algerian authorities in this regard.

“The Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and  manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

“The Security Council further reaffirms the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.  The Council reminds States that they must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

“The Security Council reiterates its determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.”

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*     The 5797^th Meeting was closed.

For information media • not an official record