Security Council Press Statement on Murder of Hervé Gourdel

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Samantha Power ( United States):

The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the heinous and cowardly murder today of Hervé Gourdel, a French citizen, by the Jund al-Khilafa.  It also once again demonstrates the barbaric brutality of those who declare themselves affiliated to ISIL [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant].

The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the family of the victim, and to the Government of France.

The members of the Security Council stressed that ISIL and those who defend their goals must be defeated and that the intolerance, violence and hatred it espouses must be stamped out.  The members of the Council further emphasized that there has to be a common effort amongst Governments and institutions, including those in the region most affected, to counter ISIL, Al-Nusra Front, AQIM [Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb] and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida.

The members of the Security Council demanded the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all those who are kept hostage by ISIL, Al-Nusra Front and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice.  The members of the Security Council stressed that those responsible for the killing of Hervé Gourdel shall be held accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with France and all other relevant 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, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

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For information media • not an official record