UN chief Ban Ki-moon condemns Brussels attack

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the “despicable” terror attacks in Brussels that killed about 35 people and called for the perpetrators to be swiftly brought to justice. Ban was joined by senior UN officials who condemned the terrorist bombings that killed at least 30 people.

A series of explosions ripped through Brussels airport and a metro train, killing around 35 people and injuring more than 200 in the latest attacks to rock Europe. The attacks occurred four days after the Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam was captured.

“The Secretary-General strongly condemns the terrorist bombings today in Brussels. The despicable attacks struck at the heart of Belgium and the centre of the European Union,” a statement issued by Ban’s spokesperson said. Ban hoped that those responsible will be swiftly brought to justice.

He is “confident that Belgium’s and Europe’s commitment to human rights, democracy and peaceful coexistence will continue to be the true and lasting response to the hatred and violence of which they became a victim today,” the statement added.

President of the UN General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft, said he is “horrified” by the attack. “We have in the last week seen atrocities in Turkey, Ivory Coast and now in Belgium. It must be condemned in the strongest terms,” Lykketoft said in a statement.

“Acts of terrorism are unjustifiable regardless of their motivation and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes on of the most serious threats to international peace and security. Acts of terrorism have no place in the modern world and only serve to strengthen the resolve of governments the world over to find and prosecute the individuals responsible,” he added.

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) said it is “deeply shocked by the tragic attacks” perpetrated today. “This is not an attack on Belgium, it is an attack on us all and sadly these tragic events remind us again that we are facing a global threat that needs to be addressed globally,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai.