REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NEW YORK -- The UN Security Council on Tuesday condemned a deadly suicide bombing that occurred early in the day in the northwest part of the country, calling it a " terrorist attack."
"The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack on 18 March 2014 in Faryab province, Afghanistan, which has caused numerous deaths and injuries of innocent civilians," said a press statement read to the press here by Permanent Representative of Luxemburg Sylvie Lucas, whose country holds the Council's rotating presidency for the month.
In the statement, the Council members expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, and to the people and government of Afghanistan, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
They reiterated their "serious concern at the threats posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and illegal armed groups to the local population, national security forces, and international military and international assistance efforts in Afghanistan."
The 15-member Council also underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, urging all states to cooperate actively with the Afghan authorities in this regard.
"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group," said the statement.
"The members of the Security Council reiterated that no terrorist act can reverse the path towards Afghan-led peace, democracy and stability in Afghanistan, which is supported by the people and the government of Afghanistan and the international community," it added.
According to reports, the death toll of Tuesday's suicide bombing has risen to 17 and those injured stood at 48.
The latest violence comes as Afghanistan prepares to hold presidential and provincial council elections on April 5, and amid an ongoing transition process by which the government is assuming greater responsibility for its own affairs.
Since the start of the election campaign on Feb. 2, at least a dozen election workers have been killed or injured by anti- government militants.
The Taliban warned the Afghan people to stay away from polling stations and election offices and ordered its fighters to target candidates, election workers, election activists, and persons who provide security for the election personnel as well as candidates.
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