NEW YORK: TheUnited Nations Security Council adopted a statement proposed by Kuwait, whichstrongly condemned the New Zealand mosque terrorist attack, in which dozenswere killed and wounded, as "heinous and cowardly." Equipped with asemi-automatic weapon, a shooter opened fire on prayer-goers during Fridayprayers at two mosques in the city of Christchurch, killing at least 49 peopleand wounding many others. Member nations "expressed their deepest sympathyand condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of NewZealand and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who wereinjured," read the document, jointly put forward by Indonesia.
Terrorism"constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace andsecurity," added the statement, describing these acts as "criminaland unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and bywhomsoever committed." The Security Council highlighted the need to"hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of thesereprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice." Italso called on the international community to cooperate with New Zealandauthorities on the matter.
Separately,Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem on Friday denounced theterrorist mass shootings that targeted two mosques in Christchurch, NewZealand. In a press release, he said that this criminal act proves thatterrorism has no religion and that the whole world is called upon to cooperateto eradicate the culture of hatred, fanaticism and extremism. Speaker Ghanemexpressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and wished the speedyrecovery of those injured.
Kuwait'sAmbassador to New Zealand Ahmad Al-Wuhaib had meanwhile confirmed that therewere no Kuwaitis among victims. The ambassador has said via phone that thereare no Kuwaiti citizens among the casualties, adding that all Kuwaiti studentsand diplomats in the country were safe. He urged Kuwaitis in New Zealand totake precaution and contact the mission in case they needed any help. - KUNA