UNSC strongly condemns Cairo terrorist attack

CAIRO - 7 August 2019: Members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) strongly condemned in a press statement the terrorist attack that took place Sunday in Cairo, killing at least 22 and injuring others.

"The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Egypt, and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured," read the official UN statement on Tuesday.

UNSC members 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 underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of Egypt and all other relevant authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

Late on Sunday, an explosion took place on the street where the National Cancer Institute lies in Cairo’s Manial neighborhood. The institute’s building was damaged by the blast that killed 22 and injured 47. None of the patients or medical staff members was harmed. However, the patients have been moved to other hospitals.

The explosion occurred because of a car that contained explosives and drove wrong-way to crash into three other cars in front of the building. The car was on its way to launch a terror attack elsewhere. The Ministry of Interior held Hasm terror group responsible for the incident. Hasm, Arabic for decisiveness, is affiliated with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. The statement did not reveal further details regarding the terrorist attack Hasm was planning to do.