Deadly terrorist attacks will not deter Algerians from path of peace – Ban

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the terrorist attacks which have struck Algeria in the past 24 hours, stressing that violence will not deter the country’s people from the path of peace and reconciliation.

Yesterday’s suicide bombing at a gendarmerie training academy in Issers, some 60 kilometres east of the capital, Algiers, reportedly killed at least 43 people, including civilians, most of whom were between the ages of 18 and 20.

In further violence today, two car bombs have reportedly killed 11 people in the city of Bouira.

“The Secretary-General extends his condolences to the people of Algeria and in particular, to the families of the victims,” his spokesperson said in a statement.

“He urges once again that the international community support the efforts of the Government of Algeria to combat terrorism,” the statement added.

Yesterday’s attack also sparked condemnation from the Security Council, which issued a presidential statement stressing the need to bring the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of the bombing to justice.