UN Security Council condemns attack near Indian consulate

KABUL: (MEP) – The U.N. Security Council has condemned in the strongest terms Saturday’s suicide attack near the Indian consulate in Afghan city of Jalalabad which killed and injured civilians, including children. The 15-member Council, in a statement read out to the press, extended its deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the heinous act that took place on Saturday and to the Government and people of Afghanistan. Members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, said Ambassador Mar’s Cristina Perceval of Argentina, which holds the rotating Council presidency for August, (APP) reported.

The Council urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Afghan authorities.

Noting that the purported target of the attack was a consulate, the Council condemned acts of violence against diplomatic and consular representatives, which endanger or take innocent lives and seriously impede the normal work of such representatives and officials.

It also reaffirmed the need to combat terrorism, which the Council reiterated is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.