SC/8553
            11 November 2005

Security Council Presidential Statement Condemns in Strongest Terms 9 November Terrorist Bombings in Amman, Jordan

Urges All States to Meet Obligations under International Law, Council Resolutions to Provide Assistance, Bring Perpetrators to Justice

NEW YORK, 10 November (UN Headquarters) -- Responding to the terrorist bombs that tore through three hotels yesterday in Amman, Jordan, killing dozens of people and wounding more than 100, the Security Council today condemned those bombings in the strongest terms, and expressed its deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families, and to the people and Government of Jordan.

In a statement read out by its President, Andrey Denisov (Russian Federation), the Council underlined the need to bring the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of those intolerable acts to justice.  It urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005), to cooperate with and provide support and assistance, as appropriate, to the Jordanian Government.

Further, the Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constituted one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any terrorist acts were criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

In reaffirming the need to combat by all means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, the Council reminded States that they must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism complied with all their obligations under international law, particularly international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

Speaking after the readout of the text, Jordan's UN representative, Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al-Hussein, thanked Council members for having adopted the statement, which contained a strong condemnation of the terrorist explosions committed against innocent civilians yesterday in Amman.  He reiterated his Government's determination to pursue and bring to justice the perpetrators.  He renewed his country's commitment to cooperate with the Council and to enhance its efforts in combating that crime, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005).

The meeting began at 10:09 a.m. and was adjourned at 10:16 a.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of the statement, to be issued as S/PRST/2005/55, reads as follows:

"The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist bombings that took place in Amman, Jordan on 9 November 2005.

"The Security Council expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims of these attacks and their families, and to the people and the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

"The Security Council underlines the need to bring the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these intolerable acts to justice, and urges all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005), to cooperate with and provide support and assistance, as appropriate, to the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in this regard.

"The Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

"The Security Council further reaffirms the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.  The Council reminds States that they must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

"The Security Council reiterates its determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations."

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