UN Security Council condemns attack on peacekeepers in DRC

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Friday condemned "in the strongest terms" an attack on UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that killed 15 Tanzanian blue helmets and five DRC soldiers.

In a press statement read out by Japanese deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Yasuhisa Kawamura, the members of the Security Council extended their deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the governments of Tanzania and the DRC and to the UN mission in the country known as Monusco by its French acronym. They wished a speedy recovery to the 53 peacekeepers who were injured.

The Japanese permanent representative to the United Nations serves as the president of the Security Council for the month of December.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that deliberate attacks against UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law. They called on the DRC government to ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice. There cannot be impunity for such attacks, said the statement.

The council members demanded all armed groups immediately cease violence. They paid tribute to the peacekeepers who risk their lives to maintain peace and protect civilians. They also reiterated their support for Monusco, the largest UN peacekeeping operation.

Thursday night's attack, reportedly by anti-government forces, on a peacekeeping base in North Kivu province is the worst in recent UN history. Since its establishment in 2010, Monusco has recorded 93 fatalities in military, police and civilian personnel. Enditem