New York – The UN Security Council has strongly condemned Sunday’s terrorist attack at the St. Peter’s Church attached to St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, the 15-member Council stressed that those responsible for the attack should be held accountable.
The Council reiterated that “any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed” and underscored the need to bring perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts to justice.
According to the statement, at least 25 people were killed and more than 49 injured in the attack.
Council members also condemned the terrorist attack that took place in Giza, Egypt on Friday during which six Egyptian policemen were killed and a number of civilians were injured.
Stressing that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, they 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.
Council members also expressed their sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the Government of Egypt, and wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.
Meanwhile, the U.S. says it condemns in strong terms, Sunday’s terrorist attack on worshippers at a Church in Cairo, which killed dozens of people.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Mr John Kirby, Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
“The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack today on Christian worshippers outside St Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo that has killed more than 25 people and injured dozens more.
“Secretary Kerry spoke this morning with Foreign Minister Shoukry to express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and our best wishes to those who must now recover from their injuries.
“As the Secretary also made clear, the United States will continue to stand with the people of Egypt as they face threats from terrorist organisations and work to achieve a stable, secure, and prosperous future,” the statement read.
