A deadly attack against a hotel in Somalia's capital has been condemned in the strongest terms by the UN Security Council.

  At least13 people were killed when Al-Shabaab militants stormed the Sahafi hotel in Mogadishu on Sunday after exploding car bombs at the gates.

The Security Council issued a statement reaffirming that terrorism is among the greatest threats to international peace and security, and that it was unjustifiable regardless of motivation.

 

Council members highlighted the need to bring to justice perpetrators and sponsors of what they called "these reprehensible acts of terrorism."

 

They urged all countries to cooperate with the Somali authorities in this regard.

 

The Council also paid tribute to the swift response of the Somali National Army in responding to the attack.

 

The UN chamber also reiterated its determination to support Somalia's efforts to achieve greater peace and stability, something it said no act of terrorism could weaken.

 

Dianne Penn, United Nations. "It is the top priority of my government to improve the ability and capacity of the Somali security sector so that we can rid Somalia of extremists, protect our national interests and preserve the peace and state integrity of Somalia,” the President said.