UNSC, Guterres condemn 'cowardly' attacks in Egypt

The UN Security Council condemned the bombings of two Coptic Christian churches in Egypt Sunday, calling the attacks "heinous" and "cowardly", AFP reported.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the attacks in a separate statement, expressing hope that the perpetrators will be swiftly brought to justice.

"The secretary-general expresses his deep sympathies to the families of the victims and to the government and people of the Arab Republic of Egypt," said a statement issued here by the spokesman of the secretary-general.



"He wishes a quick recovery to those injured and hopes that the perpetrators of this horrific terrorist act will be swiftly identified and brought to justice," the statement said.

The 15-nation Security Council, in a separate press statement, "condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attacks" in north Egypt.

"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," the statement said.

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organisers, 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 government of Egypt and all other relevant authorities in this regard," said the council statement.

They further "reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed."

"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," said the statement.



The terrorist bomb attacks killed 44 people and injured over 130 others, according to local media.

The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for bombing two Egyptian churches as worshippers gathered to mark Palm Sunday, in the deadliest attacks on the Coptic Christian minority in recent memory.