Ban, UNSC condemn Yemen attack

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks against Yemen's Ministry of Defense that reportedly killed more than 20 people and caused many injuries. "The Secretary General calls on all concerned to fully cooperate with the investigation announced by President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice. He recalls that the Security Council has reaffirmed its readiness to consider further measures in response to any actions by individuals or parties that are aimed at disrupting the transition process," a UN statement said here last night. The attack took place earlier on Thursday. "The Secretary General firmly believes that the only path to a stable, prosperous and democratic Yemen is through the ongoing peaceful and all-inclusive National Dialogue Conference, in accordance with the transition agreement and Security Council resolutions 2014 (2011) and 2051 (2012)," the statement noted. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council also condemned, in the strongest terms, the attack on the Yemeni Defense Ministry and hospital that occurred in Sanaa, expressing deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the families of the victims of these heinous acts, and to the people and Government of the Republic of Yemen, and those countries whose nationals have been affected. "The members of the Security Council reaffirmed 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," UNSC said in a statement. They also underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Yemeni authorities in this regard. In the statement, the members recalled their previous stances on Yemen, and underlined their support to the Yemeni Government, under the leadership of President Hadi, to combat terrorism, and their condemnation of any acts intended to disrupt the transition process and undermine the Yemeni Government.