Security Council Press Statement on Attack against French Embassy in Libya

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Eugène-Richard Gasana ( Rwanda):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack against the embassy of France in Tripoli, Libya, resulting in several injuries and severe damage.  They expressed their deep sympathy to the families of the victims of this heinous act.

The members of the Security Council condemned again all acts of violence against diplomatic representatives, which endanger innocent lives and seriously impede the normal work of such representatives and officials.

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

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 underlined the need to bring the perpetrators of these acts to justice.

The members of the Security Council recalled the fundamental principle of the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises, and the obligations on host Governments, including under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, to take all appropriate steps to protect diplomatic and consular premises against any intrusion or damage, and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of these missions or impairment of their dignity, and to prevent any attack on diplomatic agents and consular officers.

The members of the Security Council recalled the durable commitment of the international community to support Libya’s successful transition to a peaceful and prosperous democracy.

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For information media • not an official record