UN Security Council condemns suicide bombing in Damascus

[News_Editor]

UN Security Council condemns suicide bombing in Damascus

2012-01-08 02:48:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations (UN) Security Council on Saturday condemned Friday's deadly suicide bombing in the Syrian capital of Damascus and reiterated its commitment to combat all forms of terrorism.

The attack happened at around 10:55 a.m. local time on Friday when an apparent suicide bomber blew himself up near Hassan al-Hakeem Basic Education School in the al-Midan neighborhood of Damascus. The blast took place near a traffic light where crowds usually gather, killing 26 people and injuring 63 others.

"The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack that occurred in Damascus, causing scores of deaths and injuries," a press statement said. "They expressed their deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the victims of this heinous act and to their families, and to the people of Syria."

The Security Council, which is composed of five permanent members and ten non-permanent members, reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes 'one of the most serious' threats to international peace and security. "Any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed," the statement said.

It added: "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 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."

The permanent members of the UN Security Council are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The current non-permanent members are Azerbaijan, Colombia, Germany, Guatemala, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa and Togo.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has also condemned the suicide bombing. "[ban] remains gravely concerned at the deteriorating situation in Syria, where thousands have lost their lives since March and people continue to be killed on a daily basis," his spokesman said. "He reiterates that all violence is unacceptable and must stop."

It was not immediately known who was behind Friday's suicide bombing. The Syrian government has blamed previous attacks on al-Qaeda although observers have rejected those claims. Some opposition groups have accused the government of staging 'terrorist attacks' to justify the ongoing government crackdown.

On December 23, at least 44 people were killed and 166 others were injured when two suicide bombers hit two government buildings in Damascus. One of the bombers targeted a building of the Area Security Branch in Damascus while another drove his vehicle into the General Intelligence Administration building.

Syria has been part of the wider Arab Spring movement which began in early 2011 and has been riddled by violence ever since. Pro-democracy demonstrations have spread across the country since mid-March, resulting in a fierce government crackdown which has left at least 5,000 people killed.

The Syrian government has repeatedly claimed that violent acts against protesters have been carried out by 'terrorists dressed as soldiers,' although international observers have rejected these claims. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad previously admitted mistakes were made, but claimed protesters were no longer being targeted.

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