NEW YORK: The
United Nations Security Council adopted a statement proposed by Kuwait, which
strongly condemned the New Zealand mosque terrorist attack, in which dozens
were killed and wounded, as "heinous and cowardly." Equipped with a
semi-automatic weapon, a shooter opened fire on prayer-goers during Friday
prayers at two mosques in the city of Christchurch, killing at least 49 people
and wounding many others. Member nations "expressed their deepest sympathy
and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of New
Zealand and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were
injured," read the document, jointly put forward by Indonesia.

Terrorism
"constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and
security," added the statement, describing these acts as "criminal
and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by
whomsoever committed." The Security Council highlighted the need to
"hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these
reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice." It
also called on the international community to cooperate with New Zealand
authorities on the matter.

Separately,
Kuwaiti National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem on Friday denounced the
terrorist mass shootings that targeted two mosques in Christchurch, New
Zealand. In a press release, he said that this criminal act proves that
terrorism has no religion and that the whole world is called upon to cooperate
to eradicate the culture of hatred, fanaticism and extremism. Speaker Ghanem
expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and wished the speedy
recovery of those injured.

Kuwait's
Ambassador to New Zealand Ahmad Al-Wuhaib had meanwhile confirmed that there
were no Kuwaitis among victims. The ambassador has said via phone that there
are no Kuwaiti citizens among the casualties, adding that all Kuwaiti students
and diplomats in the country were safe. He urged Kuwaitis in New Zealand to
take precaution and contact the mission in case they needed any help. - KUNA