Security Council PRESS STATEMENT ON AFGHANISTAN

 

The following Security Council press statement on Afghanistan was read out today by Council President Dumisani S. Kumalo ( South Africa):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack that on 27 April targeted an official ceremony in Kabul attended by the President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, other representatives of the Afghan authorities, diplomats and other international officials.  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, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Afghan authorities in this regard.

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

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.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the commitment to further reinforce Afghan ownership and leadership of the country’s development and security.

The members of the Security Council called for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1806 (2008) in all its aspects.

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For information media • not an official record