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UN Security Council slams terrorist attacks in Uganda

2010-07-13 05:33

UNITED NATIONS -- The UN Security Council on Monday condemned "in the strongest terms" the terrorist attacks, which took place on Sunday in the Ugandan capital of Kampala and reportedly left more than 70 people killed, and called for those responsible for the deadly bombings to be brought to justice.

The condemnation came as the Nigerian UN ambassador, Uche Joy Ogwu who holds the rotating Council presidency for July, was reading a statement to the press here at the end of the closed- door Council meeting.

"The members of the Security Council condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks that occurred in Kampala, Uganda, on July 11, 2010, causing numerous deaths and injuries," the statement said. "They expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the victims of these heinous acts of terrorism and to their families, and to the people and government of Uganda."

Twin bombs went off on Sunday in a synchronized attack on large gatherings of World Cup soccer fans watching the televised final on outdoor screens in the Ugandan capital of Kampala,reports said. Ugandan police officials said they suspected that the al-Shabab, a militant Islamic group in nearby Somalia which is known to have links with al-Qaida, might have been responsible for the bombings.

Al-Shabab claimed responsibility on Monday for the bombings in Ugadnda, saying that the military group would carry out attacks " against our enemy" wherever they are, reports said.

"The members of the Security Council underline the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, and urge all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Ugandan authorities in this regards," the statement said.

"The members of the Security Council reaffirm that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, and further reaffirm the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the UN Charter, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts," the statement said.

Meanwhile, "the members of the Security Council remind States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism must comply with all their obligations under international law, and in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law," the statement said.

"The members of the Security Council reiterate their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations," the statement added.

Earlier on Monday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement issued by his spokesman here, strongly condemned the deadly attacks and voiced his hope that "the perpetrators of these acts will be brought to justice and prosecuted."

 

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