UNSC condemns Al-Shabaab attack against Jazeera Palace Hotel

NEW YORK, July 28 (KUNA) -- The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the suicide attack by Al-Shabaab against the Jazeera Palace Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, which has caused numerous deaths and injuries.
The Security Council expressed in a press statement, their deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the "heinous attack" that included one member of security staff from the Chinese Embassy.
On behalf of the Council members, the current President Gerard van Bohemen of New Zealand read the statement to the press on Monday, offering his colleagues condolences to the people and Governments of the Republic of Somalia and the People's Republic of China.
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.
Moreover, the UNSC 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 this act to justice," Bohemen added.
He then 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." Furthermore, the Council members underlined in their statement their enduring commitment to support peace and stability in Somalia, and underlined that neither this, nor any other terrorist attack would undermine their determination to support political and military progress.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their support to all international actors working to support the people and Government of Somalia.
On Sunday, Al-Jazeera Hotel in Mogadishu was attacked by Al-Shabaab, which resulted in a number of casualties and injuries, including to staff of diplomatic missions of several countries whose missions were based in the hotel. (end) mao.gta