The UN Security Council on Thursday condemned "in the strongest terms" the terrorist attacks in Morocco, which killed at least 15 people, saying that "any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable", Xinhua reported.
"The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack that occurred in Marrakech, Kingdom of Morocco, on April 28, 2011, causing numerous deaths and injuries," the Security Council said in a press statement issued here late Thursday.
The Council members "expressed their deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the victims of this heinous act and to their families, and to the people and government of the Kingdom of Morocco," the statement said.
"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed 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," the statement said.
Earlier on Thursday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement issued here by his spokesman, said that he "is appalled by today's bombing in Marrakech which killed and injured Moroccans and foreign nationals."
The secretary-general "reiterates his firm rejection of the use of indiscriminate violence against innocent civilians and maintains that no political objective justifies or is served by such heinous acts," the statement said.
At least 15 people, including six French nationals, were killed and 20 others, mostly Europeans, injured in Morocco on Thursday after a suspected suicide bomber detonated a device in a busy square in the tourist haven of Marrakesh, in what was the deadliest attack in eight years, reports said.
"The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations," the statement said.
"The members of the Security Council reminded States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law," the statement added.