Somali soldiers stand guards by the carcass of a huge car bomb, on February 21, 2014 in Mogadishu. Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab rebels launched a major suicide attack Friday against the heavily-fortified presidential palace, home to the country's internationally-backed government, killing officials and guards before dying in a fierce gunbattle. AFP PHOTO / ABDIFITAH HASHI NOR
The United Nations Security Council said on Friday that it is “appalled” by the attack on the office of the Somalia president that has resulted in at least 11 deaths.
The 15-member council also saluted “the brave response” of the African Union mission (Amisom) troops and the Somali government's security forces.
Council members added in a press statement that “this and other acts of terrorism would not weaken their determination to support the peace and reconciliation process in Somalia.”
Terrorism constitutes “one of the most serious threats to international peace and security,” the statement declared, adding that “any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, wherever and whenever and by whomsoever committed.”
At the same time, the Security Council said it reminds all states to ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism must comply with their obligations under international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.