UNITED NATIONS, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Wednesday "condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack" in the Afghan capital of Kabul earlier in the day.
"Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security," said the 15-nation UN body in a press statement.
"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice," the statement said.
More than 120 people were killed or injured after gunmen disguised as medical personnel stormed a military hospital near Kabul's heavily fortified diplomatic quarter on Wednesday.
The Amaq news agency affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) said the terror group claimed responsibility for the attack.
The council members expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, and to the people and the government of Afghanistan, the statement said, adding that they wished a speedy and full recovery to those injured.
"Those responsible for these killings should be held accountable, and urged all States ... to cooperate actively with the government of Afghanistan and all other relevant authorities in this regard," said the statement.
The council members stressed the need to take measures to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism, terrorist organizations and individual terrorists in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions, the statement added.
The attack came as the country was marking the International Women's Day, which falls on March 8.
More than 3,490 civilians were killed and over 7,920 others injured in conflict-related incidents across Afghanistan last year, according to figures released by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
