Security Council welcomes release of Algerian diplomats in Northern Mali

The United Nations Security Council today welcomed the release in Gao, Mali, on 30 August of the two Algerian diplomats that were taken hostage by the armed group Mouvement pour l'Unicité et le Jihad en Afrique de l'Ouest (MUJAO) in April 2012.

The 15-member body also condemned the assassination of another Algerian diplomat and expressed deep regret about the death while in captivity of the Algerian Consul.

They expressed their deep condolences to the family of the two victims and stressed that those responsible must be held accountable. The Government of Mali must swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Council reaffirmed the need to combat by all means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, and that all acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable. At the same time, States have a responsibility to ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with international law, in particular international human rights and humanitarian law.

Countries should prevent terrorists from benefiting directly or indirectly from ransom payments or from political concessions and to secure the safe release of hostages.

Council members also reiterated their full support for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the French forces who support it and called on all parties to cooperate fully with the Mission.