UNSC, UN CHIEF CONDEMN JAKARTA BOMBINGS

UN HQ, NY, July 18 (ANTARA) - The UN Security Council and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon have strongly condemned Friday's bombings of two hotels in central Jakarta that have reportedly killed at least nine people and injured dozens of others.

The Secretary-General recognizes the steadfast efforts the Indonesian government has made in bringing to justice perpetrators of past terrorist acts, Ban's spokesperson Michelle Montas said in a press statement at the UN Headquarters on Friday.

Ban expressed confidence that the new attacks will be investigated with equal resolve and that those responsible will be prosecuted, he said.

"The Secretary-General extends his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes those injured a speedy recovery," Montas said.

The Security Council adopted a presidential statement in which members voiced outrage and offered "deep sympathy and condolences to the victims of these heinous acts of terrorism and to their families, and to the people and government of Indonesia."
The 15-member panel stressed the need to bring the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of the bombings to justice and urged all states to cooperate with Indonesian authorities as they pursue that goal.

"The Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed."
Meanwhile, earlier, US President Barack Obama also condemned the bomb attacks on the JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels in Jakarta which killed at least nine people on Friday morning.

The US president said his government as a friend and partner was ready to assist Indonesia in its recovery efforts after the bomb attacks.

"I strongly condemn the attacks that occurred this morning in Jakarta, and extend my deepest condolences to all the victims and their loved ones." Obama said on Friday.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Friday also condemned the "senseless" bomb attacks in two Jakarta hotels that killed at least nine people, underlining that the threat of terrorism remains "very real."
The State Department was working "to help American citizens injured in the blasts" in the Indonesian capital, Clinton said in a statement issued from Prague as her plane stopped for refuelling en route to India.