2nd LD Writethru: UN Security Council slams "violent seizure" of Syria's ancient city

The UN Security Council on Friday "strongly condemned the ongoing barbaric terrorist acts" by the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, including its violent takeover of Palmyra, an ancient city in Syria.

The members of the Security Council expressed "deep concern for the thousands of Palmyra residents inside the city, as well as for those displaced" as a result of IS's advance, the 15-nation council said in a statement.

"The members of the Security Council call for the safe passage of civilians fleeing the violence, and reaffirms that the primary responsibility to protect its populations lies with the Syrian authorities," said the statement.

The IS has consolidated its grip on the historic city of Palmyra and other swaths of territory in eastern Syria, fresh from its decisive victory over forces loyal to the Syrian government.

"The members of the Security Council stated their grave concern for the protection of the World Heritage site of Palmyra and the systematic campaign of destruction of cultural heritage in Iraq and Syria," the statement said.

IS militants in Syria have entered the World Heritage site of Palmyra after seizing the town next to the ancient ruins, reports said.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said its destruction would be "an enormous loss to humanity," but no damage has been reported there yet.

The members of the Security Council condemned "in the strongest terms" IS's terrorist acts, which reportedly include beheadings and killings," the statement said.

The council members reiterated their condemnation of the destruction of cultural heritage in Iraq and Syria, particularly by IS, including targeted destruction of religious sites and objects, it said.

They underlined the need to bring perpetrators of these acts to justice, and stressed again that the IS must be defeated and that the intolerance, violence, and hatred it espouses must be stamped out.

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 members of the Security Council voiced their strong support for UNESCO Director-General Bokova's efforts to address the destruction and looting of cultural heritage, including through UNESCO's efforts to assist in the implementation of relevant provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2199," it said. Endi