UN Security Council slams deadly terrorist attacks in resort area in Cote d'Ivoire

The UN Security Council on Monday "condemned in the strongest terms" terrorist attacks in a beach resort area in Grand-Bassam, Cote d'Ivoire, which killed at least 16 people.

In a press statement issued here, the 15-nation UN body stressed the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice.

"Those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard," they said.

The members "expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the government of Cote d'Ivoire, as well as to the government of France and all other governments whose citizens were targeted in these attacks," said the statement. "They wished a speedy recovery to those injured."

The council members also expressed their solidarity with Cote d'Ivoire and the countries in the region in their fight against terrorism and stressed the need to intensify regional and international efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism, which may be conducive to terrorism, said the statement.

The members of the Council 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," they said.

The Council members reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, said the statement.

The attacks were carried out on Sunday in Grand Bassam area, a world UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) heritage site just some 40 kilometers away from Abidjan, the economic capital of the West African country, which is popular among tourists and foreign workers.

Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Cote d'Ivoire.

The members of the Security Council also stressed the need to take measures to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, terrorist organizations and individual terrorists in accordance with resolutions 2199 (2015) and 2253 (2015), said the statement.

On Sunday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the terrorist attacks in three hotels in the town of Grand Bassam.

The UN chief "expresses his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the people and government of Cote d'Ivoire and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman.

Ban also reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to stand with the people of Cote d'Ivoire at this difficult time and extends his full support to the government of Cote d'Ivoire in its efforts to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice," the statement said. Enditem