UN Security Council slams deadly terrorist attack in Istanbul

The United Nations Security Council "condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attacks" in Istanbul, Turkey, which left at least 39 people dead and 155 others injured.

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

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of Turkey and all other relevant authorities in this regard," the statement said.

Two bomb blasts outside a football stadium in central Istanbul on Saturday, reports said, adding that a moving car was detonated targeting riot police on duty near a stadium in the district of Besiktas, where a football match ended about one and half an hour before. 

"They stressed that 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," 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," said the statement.

"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," the statement added.

On Saturday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the deadly terrorist attacks in Istanbul, Turkey, and voiced his hope that the perpetrators "will be swiftly identified and brought to justice." 

"The secretary-general condemns todays terrorist attacks in Istanbul, reportedly targeting Turkish police personnel, in which dozens of people were killed and injured," said a statement issued here by Bans spokesman.

Istanbul and the Turkish capital Ankara have come under a spate of deadly attacks over the past year amid a worsening security situation.

Istanbul was last attacked in late June, when three suicide bombers assaulted the citys major international airport and killed 45 people, Xinhua reported.

Source: ANTARA