UN 'appalled' by Somali suicide bombings

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday that they are " appalled" by the suicide car bombings targeting a popular hotel in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, calling the attacks "acts of terrorism."

According to reports, up to 11 people were killed and more than 15 others injured by the bombings on Wednesday in front of the Jazeera Hotel in Mogadishu.

In a statement issued to the press here, the members of the Security Council stressed their resolve to continue to support efforts to bring greater peace and stability to Somalia, and " underlined that this, and other deplorable acts of terrorism, would not weaken their resolve to support the people of Somalia."

The Council members "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 Somali authorities in this regard," said the statement.

The 15-nation body reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, which "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 and whenever and by whomsoever committed."

In a statement issued here by his spokesperson, Ban said he is determined to support the Somali government in preventing such attacks and holding the perpetrators accountable, adding that " these acts of terrorism against the government and people of Somalia will not detract from the significant progress made in Somalia."

"In this new year, the secretary-general strongly affirms his undeterred resolve to support the Federal Government of Somalia and the Somali people in strengthening state institutions and furthering peace and security," said the statement.

Both the Security Council and the UN chief extended their condolences to the victims and their families as well as to the people and the Somali government, and paid tribute to the efforts of the Somali Security Forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in responding to the attacks.

In addition, the Council members recalled their recent decision to increase significantly the UN's support to AMISOM and the Somali Security Forces to bolster international efforts towards removing the threat posed by the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab, which claimed responsibility for the deadly bombings, reiterating their strong resolve to continue to support these efforts.

In early November, the Security Council authorized a temporary boost for AMISOM of over 4,000 troops and an expanded logistical package so it can maintain basic security and respond to the evolving threat from Al-Shabaab insurgents. In a unanimously adopted resolution, the Council extended the deployment of the AU Mission, which was created in 2007, until October 31, 2014.