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

Xinhua, February 23, 2017 Adjust font size:

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday "condemned in the strongest terms the cowardly and heinous terrorist attack" in Iraq last week, reiterating that "any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable."

In a press statement issued here Wednesday night, the 15-nation UN body reaffirmed that "terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security."

On Feb. 16, a car bomb attack rocked a crowded commercial area in southwestern Baghdad, killing at least 45 people and injuring 56 others. The extremist group Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack.

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice," said the statement.

"They stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable," said the statement, adding the council urged all countries to cooperate with the Iraqi government and all other relevant authorities "in this regard."

They reaffirmed the need for all countries to combat the threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, it said.

The council members also expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, and to the people and the government of Iraq, the statement said.

"They wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured," said the statement.

Terrorist acts, violence and armed conflicts killed 382 Iraqis and wounded 908 others in January across Iraq, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq said. Endi