United Nations, Dec 9 (IANS) Observing that terrorism is a global scourge, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday said the awful attacks in Mumbai are only the most recent example of 'mad, misguided individuals run amok'.
Addressing a special meeting of the UN Security Council on Global Security and International Terrorism, Ban said combating terrorism must be one of the main priorities of the international community.
'Those armed with planes and guns today could well arrive with more potent force tomorrow. So, those who believe that terror is a legitimate means by which they can achieve their goals must be shown that they will fail,' Ban said.
The meeting was chaired by Croatian President Stjepan Mesic. Croatia is the president of the Security Council for the month of December.
Besides the 15 members of the Security Council, as many as 17 countries would be speaking at this special Security Council meeting, which is being held in the wake of the Nov 26 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
Ban said the UN has a responsibility to lead the international community's efforts to confront this menace, which no cause or grievance can justify. As a universal organisation, with independent and impartial understanding, the United Nations is uniquely well placed to play this role, he said.
'The awful paradox is that the voices of terrorists often garner more attention than those of the people who bear the brunt of their cruelty. This is only the beginning to correct this imbalance, give a human face to the victims of terrorism and thereby build a culture that rejects terrorism,' said the secretary-general.
At the end of the debate, the Security Council is expected to issue a presidential statement calling for, among other things, reaffirmation of international solidarity in combating terrorism and using more energetic counterterrorism efforts by member states.
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