New York - KUNA
The UN Security Council on Wednesday condemned "in the strongest terms" the attacks in Afghanistan's Uruzgan and Faryab provinces which claimed the lives of nine development workers. The attacks, which took place on November 26 and 27, brought the number of attacks against humanitarian personnel, facilities and assets in Afghanistan to 237 so far this year. "The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the families of the victims of these heinous acts, and to the Government and people of Afghanistan," a fresh statement said earlier today here. It also underlined that personnel targeted in these attacks "are undertaking essential work in support of the Afghan people, and that the continuation of attacks against development workers and humanitarian personnel significantly impedes the delivery of this important assistance to Afghanistan. " The UNSC members reiterated their serious concern at the threats posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and illegal armed groups to the local population, national security forces, international military and international assistance efforts in Afghanistan, particularly in light of a number of recent terrorist attacks in Kabul and elsewhere in the country. They further 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 Afghan authorities in this regard. "No terrorist act can reverse the path towards Afghan-led peace, democracy and stability in Afghanistan, which is supported by the people and the Government of Afghanistan and the international community," concluded the statement