Terrorism in all shapes are "criminal, unjustifiable" - UNSC

NEW YORK, May 29 (KUNA) -- The UN Security Council (UNSC) reaffirmed Friday that terrorism in all forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.
The UNSC members said any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations, whenever and by whomsoever committed.
Emphasizing that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality or civilization, the Security Council reaffirmed in a presidential statement, member states' determination to "continue to do all they can to resolve conflict and to deny terrorist groups the ability to put down roots and establish safe havens to address better the growing threat posed by terrorism." During a meeting dedicated on "Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts," the Council, lead by Lithuania, reiterated grave concern over continuing threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, namely individuals who travel to a State other than their States of residence or nationality for the purpose of perpetration, planning, or preparation of, or participation in, terrorist acts or providing or receiving of terrorist training, including in connection with armed conflict, and resolving to address this threat.
The UNSC expressed great concern that foreign terrorist fighters continue to be recruited in significant numbers by, and are joining, entities such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Al-Nusrah Front (ANF), and other cells, affiliates, splinter groups or derivatives of Al-Qaeda, as designated by the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 and 1989 (2011), as well as groups that have pledged allegiance to ISIL.
The Council confirmed that over 25,000 foreign terrorist fighters from over 100 countries have travelled to -join or fight- for terrorist entities associated with Al-Qaeda, including ISIL and ANF.
Moreover, the UNSC reiterated its call on member states to improve international, regional, and subregional cooperation to prevent the travel of foreign terrorist fighters from or through their territories.
"Recognizing that transit countries face enormous difficulties in terms of disrupting access to conflict zones in the absence of reliable intelligence, the Security Council calls on Member States to increase and improve intra and inter regional information sharing between origin and transit states in a timely manner," it added.
During his participation in the meeting, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced his intention to present a Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism to the 70th Session of the General Assembly later this year.
He affirmed that no country can tackle this challenge alone, yet member states have to enhance their cooperation and exchange information, develop effective border controls and strengthen their criminal justice systems, in accordance with the rule of law and human rights standards. (end) mao.bs