SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON KABUL HOTEL BOMBING

 

The following Security Council press statement was read out today by Council President Giadalla Ettalhi ( Libya):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the suicide attack that occurred at the Hotel Serena in Kabul on 14 January, causing several casualties among security guards, hotel guests and bystanders.  The members of the Security Council expressed their condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and the Government of Afghanistan.

The members of the Security Council noted that the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.  The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism to justice, and urged all States to cooperate actively with the Afghan authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their concern at the increasing threat to the local population, national security forces, international military and international assistance efforts posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida, illegal armed groups, criminals and those involved in the narcotics trade.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that no terrorist act can reverse the path towards peace, democracy and reconstruction in Afghanistan, which is supported by the people and the Government of Afghanistan and the international community.

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For information media • not an official record