UN Security Council condemns deadly terrorist Orlando shooting

A file photo of one UN security council meeting held in New York, US on June 11, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council on Monday condemned "in the strongest terms" the terrorist attack in Orlando in the US state of Florida, in which 49 people were killed and 53 others wounded.

"Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security," according to the Security Council.

The worst mass shooting in the US history targeted persons "as a result of their sexual orientation", the 15-nation council said in a statement issued to the press here.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed," said the statement.

"They expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the government of the United States of America. They wished a full recovery to those injured."

"The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed," said the statement.

"They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts," the statement added.

Earlier Monday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wrote to the governor of the US state of Florida and the mayor of Orlando to convey his deepest condolences to the people of Florida for the loss of life and injuries in Sunday's horrific and hateful act of terror in Orlando, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here.

In the letter, Ban said that "such violence is despicable, and contrary to the values of equality, peace and mutual respect that underpin the United Nations," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

Also on Monday, the president of the UN General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft, expressed his "anger, outrage and deep sorrow for the victims" killed in the Sunday mass shooting in Orlando.

The General Assembly president, in a separate statement, called the worst mass shooting in US history by a lone gunman "a misguided and despicable act of barbarism".

A gunman wielding an assault-type rife and a handgun killed at least 49 people and wounded 53 others in a nightclub in Orlando early Sunday. The Islamic State claimed the responsibility for the attack.