UN Security Council condemns "heinous and cowardly" Istanbul attacks

NEW YORK, June 30 (KUNA) -- UN Security Council condemned today, in the strongest terms the "heinous and cowardly" terrorist attack at the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, Turkey, during which at least 42 people were killed and 238 injured.
In a statement, the Security Council members expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Turkey and they wished speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that "terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security." The UN top body underlined in its statement, 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 Government of Turkey and all other relevant authorities in this regard. The French-led Council stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, and once again urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.
The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, reaffirming the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the UN Charter and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.
Earlier today, at the Turkish Mission to the UN, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged the international community to be united to defeat and counter terrorism, and do all that can be done to prevent this violent extremism.
As he signed the condolences book, he highlighted that there is no justification for any terrorism, and nothing can justify such kind of heinous terrorist attacks that must be defeated in the name of humanity. (end) mao.ajs