UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council on Wednesday issued statements condemning the suicide-vehicle attack in Gao, Mali.
The statements came after a suicide bombing had rocked a military camp, in the northern city of Gao in Mali on Wednesday, killing at least 50 and injuring some 60 others.
"The secretary-general condemns in the strongest terms the suicide-vehicle attack perpetrated against the camp of the Operational Coordination Mechanism this morning in Gao," said the UN chief's statement.
"The secretary-general offers his heartfelt condolences to the government of Mali and the bereaved families, the Coordination of Movements of Azawad and the Platform," and calls for swift action to "bring those responsible for this attack to justice," according to the statement.
Members of the UN Security Council expressed their sympathy for the government of Mali, victims and their families in another statement, urging the government "to swiftly investigate these attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice."
"Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security," said the statement.
The attacked camp housed over 600 individuals designated by three signatory parties to the peace agreement to start mixed patrols in Gao region. The exact number of casualties in the attack remains to be confirmed.
Mixed patrols are one key interim security measure of the peace agreement aiming at curtailing insecurity in northern Mali pending the full restoration of state authority.
The secretary-general also urged the parties to continue to work to fully implement the provisions of the peace agreement and to do all they can to prevent such attacks.
"This despicable act reinforces the UN' determination to support the people of Mali, the government and the signatory armed groups in their quest for peace, their fight against terrorism and their efforts to uphold the peace agreement," said the statement.
