Security Council Press Statement on Terrorist Attack in Kabul

 

The following Security Council press statement on Afghanistan was read out today by Council President Le Luong Minh (Viet Nam):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack at a guesthouse in Kabul on 28 October, which caused deaths and injuries among United Nations staff and members of the Afghan National Security Forces.  The members of the Security Council expressed their condolences to the families of the victims, to the Secretary-General and other United Nations colleagues, and to the people and the Government of Afghanistan.  The members of the Council reiterate their steadfast support for the role of the United Nations in Afghanistan.

The members of the Security Council noted with serious concern that the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attacks.  The members of the Council strongly condemned the attempts in particular by the Taliban to disrupt the electoral process and destabilize the situation in Afghanistan.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their serious concern at the threats posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida, and other extremist groups, to the local population, national security forces, international military and international assistance efforts in Afghanistan.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts 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 reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and all obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with their responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.

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