Condemning the terrorist attack in the French city of Nice that killed 84 people, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed onthe need to intensify "regional and international efforts" to combat terrorism and violent extremism.
Ban, in astatementissued by hisspokesperson here, expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims of the "horrific act.
"The Secretary-General hopes that all those responsible for this massacre will be rapidly identified and brought to justice. He stands firmly by the French Government and people as they confront this threat and stresses the need to intensify regional and international efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism," the statement said.
Late last night, the UN Security Council also condemned in the strongest terms the "barbaric and cowardly" terrorist attack that killed over 84 people, including children, and injured several others, underlining the need to bring the perpetrators of these terrorist acts to justice.
In a press statement, the 15-member Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.
"The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the barbaric and cowardly terrorist attack" on Bastille Day.
Over 84 people were killed and dozens injured when a truck mowed into a crowded street of revellers in thesouthern French city of Nice.
The driver of the truck wasshot to death by the police
This was the third major terrorist attack in France after the horrific Paris terror attacks in November last year in which130 people were killed. Also in January last year, a mass shooting at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo office in Paris, carried out by two Islamist gunmen, killed 17 people, followed by another terror attack next day in a Jewish grocery store, where four people were shot dead.
Expressing deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, the Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable,regardless of their motivation and by whomsoever committed.
President of the General Assembly Mogens Lykketoft expressed "horror" at the "carnage" during the Bastille Day celebrations.
"This slaughter of innocent civilians is yet another horrific example of the terrorist movement's total contempt for any kind of humanity. We have seen a number of these mass killings across the world in recent weeks and it is a dire call for even stronger international counterterrorism cooperation," he said in a statement.
He expressed condolences to the people and government of France "who have born the brunt of so much carnage recently".
