Ban and Security Council condemn deadly terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council have condemned the terrorist attack that took place on Thursday in Saudi Arabia, resulting in the death of at least a dozen people, for which the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has claimed responsibility.

“The Secretary-General reiterates that there is no justification whatsoever for terrorist attacks or attacks on places of worship. He hopes that the perpetrators will be swiftly brought to justice,” said a statement issued by his spokesperson.

The attack was perpetrated at a mosque at the headquarters of the Special Emergency Security Forces in the Asir Region of Saudi Arabia.

Members of the Security Council issued a statement to the press, in which they condemned the attack “in the strongest terms.”

“The members of the Security Council stressed again that ISIL must be defeated and that the intolerance, violence and hatred it espouses must be stamped out,” they added.

They further emphasized that such “continued acts of barbarism perpetrated by ISIL do not intimidate them, but rather stiffen their resolve” that there has to be a common effort amongst governments and institutions to counter ISIL and other terrorist groups.

In their fight against terrorism, States must ensure that measures taken comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, the 15-member Council further noted.