UN Security Council strongly condemns Norway attacks, says terrorism is unjustifiable

UN Security Council strongly condemns Norway attacks, says terrorism is unjustifiable

2011-07-24 04:33:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council on Saturday strongly condemned the deadly attacks in Norway on Friday, which killed at least 92 people. The members also reiterated the need to combat terrorism.

The attacks in Norway began at around 3.26 p.m. local time on Friday when a huge car bomb explosion rocked the Government quarter in Oslo, killing seven people. A subsequent mass shooting at Utoya island, where the Labour Party's annual Workers' Youth League (AUF) youth summer camp was being held, killed at least 85 people.

In a joint statement on Saturday, the members of the UN Security Council said it condemns the 'terrorist' attacks in Norway in the strongest terms. "[The members] expressed their deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the victims of these heinous acts and to their families, and to the people and Government of Norway," the statement said.

While little is known about the motives of the attacker, identified as 32-year-old Anders Behring Breivik, the members of the Security Council said that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations," the joint statement added. "The members of the Security Council reminded States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law."

Also on Saturday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke by telephone with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg to extend his personal condolences and those of the UN family to the government of Norway and the families of the victims.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-07-24