The UN Security Council on Wednesday condemned the bombing in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, in which at least 90 people were reportedly killed and more than 400 others wounded, demanding those behind the terrorist acts be brought to justice.
This was contained in a statement read out to reporters by British UN Ambassador John Sawers, who holds the rotating Security Council presidency for August.
"The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the series of terrorist attacks that occurred on Aug. 19, 2009 in Baghdad, which caused numerous deaths and injuries and damage, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," the press statement said.
The bombing took place on the sixth anniversary of the bombing of the UN Baghdad Headquarters that killed 22 people including Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN coordinator for Iraq.
"The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirmed their support for the people and government of Iraq, and their commitment to Iraq's security," said the statement.
"The members of the Security Council underlined 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 Iraqi authorities in this regards," the statement said.
"The members of the Security Council took this sad occasion to reiterate their strong support and appreciation for the humanitarian work of the UN and its staff in Iraq," the statement said.
"The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with their responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations," the statement said.
"The members of the Security Council reiterated that no terrorist act can reverse a path towards peace, democracy and reconstruction in Iraq, which is supported by the people and the government of Iraq and the international community," the statement added.
(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2009)
