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1st LD Writethru: UN Security Council slams deadly terrorist attack in Berlin

Xinhua, December 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

The UN Security Council on Tuesday "condemned in the strongest terms the barbaric and cowardly terrorist attack" which took place in Berlin, Germany, on Monday night, during which at least 12 people were killed and nearly 50 others injured.

The 15-nation UN body, in a press statement issued here, expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government of Germany.

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring the perpetrators of these terrorist acts to justice," said the statement.

"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security," the statement said.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed," the statement said.

"They 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."

Earlier Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the terrorist attack in Berlin on Monday night, and voiced his hope that "anyone involved in the commission of this appalling crime will be swiftly brought to justice."

Ban "wishes a speedy recovery to those injured," said a statement issued here by his spokesman.

At least 12 people were killed and nearly 50 others injured after a tractor-trailer truck ploughed into a crowd at a Christmas market in Berlin on Monday night.

In the attack, the vehicle jumped a sidewalk around 8:00 p.m. (local time) and ploughed into the market near the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, a symbolic Berlin site. Endit