UN, Annan condemn London terrorist bombings as 'attack on humanity itself'

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today deplored "the atrocious bombings" that rocked London's public transport system as "an attack on humanity itself," and urged that such violence not be allowed to derail efforts to combat poverty and address the aspirations of billions of people worldwide.

Mr. Annan, who was flying from London to Scotland at the time of the deadly attacks to attend the G8 summit of industrialized nations, issued a statement stressing the importance of combating poverty and climate change in the meeting's agenda.

At UN Headquarters in New York, the Security Council held a formal meeting and unanimously adopted a resolution calling on all states "to cooperate actively in efforts to find and bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of these barbaric acts." It expressed "its utmost determination" to combat terrorism and Council President for July, Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis of Greece, said afterwards in a statement to the press that those responsible for "these horrendous acts" will be brought to justice and punished.

In his statement, Mr. Annan declared: "Today, the world stands shoulder to shoulder with the British people, who with others around the world had mobilized so powerfully against poverty and climate change ahead of the Group of Eight summit, and who, I am sure, will confront this ordeal with the same spirit, courage and determination.

"I look to the Group of Eight, in their deliberations over the next few days, to show themselves equal to that resolve. Let us not allow the violence perpetrated by a few to deflect us from addressing the aspirations of billions of our fellow men and women who are demanding change."

Expressing his condolences to those who lost loved ones, were hurt or traumatized by this tragedy, Mr. Annan added: "I grieve with all Londoners at the wounds that have been inflicted on this wonderful city – this city that is home to people from so many countries and cultures – and express my solidarity with the Government and people of the United Kingdom in this hour of trial."

Earlier the UN joined other summit participants in condemning the "barbaric attacks" and declaring a united resolve to fight terrorism until victory.

"We are united in our resolve to confront and defeat this terrorism that is an attack, not on one nation, but on all nations and on civilized people everywhere," said a statement issued in the name of all G8 participants, as well as the leaders of Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, India and China, and the heads of the UN, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Bank.

"We will not allow violence to change our societies or our values. Nor will we allow it to disrupt the work of this Summit. We will continue our deliberations in the interests of a better world," it declared. "Here at Gleneagles, the world's leaders are striving to combat world poverty and save and improve lives. The perpetrators of today's attacks are intent on destroying them."

"The terrorists will not succeed."

"Today's bombings will not weaken in any way our resolve to uphold the most deeply held principles of our societies and to defeat those who would impose their fanaticism and extremism on us. We shall prevail. They shall not," the statement concluded.

In Paris the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added its voice to the chorus of condemnation. "The attacks perpetrated in London are outrageous," UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura said.

"Just as attention was focused on London because of news about the Olympic Games, which embody the values of understanding and fraternity, the city fell victim to a heinous act that nothing can justify."