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UN calls for renewal of global solidarity against terrorist acts

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-10 11:43

UNITED NATIONS -- The UN Security Council on Tuesday called on member states to renew the degree of international solidarity against terrorism that was manifested immediately after the tragic September 11, 2001, attacks.

With the unanimous adoption of a presidential statement, the 15-member body concluded a day-long meeting focusing on the threats of terrorist acts to international peace and security.

In a statement read out by Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, the council's president for this month, council members expressed deep concern over "continuous terrorist attacks around the world."

They underlined the need to strengthen existing mechanisms and cooperation in order to find, deny safe haven and bring to justice any person who supported, facilitated or participated in the financing, planning, preparation or commission of terrorist acts.

They also condemned in the strongest terms the incitement of terrorist acts and repudiated attempts at the justification or glorification of such acts, and reaffirmed the importance of countering radicalization and the exploitation of young people by violent extremists.

At the same time, the council emphasized the need to enhance dialogue among civilizations and address regional conflicts, underdevelopment, and the full range of global issues to help build international cooperation, which, by itself, was necessary to sustain "the broadest possible fight against terrorism."

Council members said they believed that "the strengthening of mutual trust among member states of the United Nations will facilitate the creation of conditions for the successful fight against terrorism."

Addressing the meeting, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned terrorism as "a global scourge."

As a leading threat to international security, terrorism had to be one of the international community's main priorities, Ban said.

The United Nations had a responsibility to lead international efforts to confront the menace, "which no cause or grievance can justify," and the organization was uniquely well placed to play that role, the UN chief said.

Most of the 46 speakers that followed Ban condemned the Mumbai attack and reaffirmed their commitment to pursue the struggle against terrorism.