“They expressed their deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the victims of these heinous acts and their families and to the people and Governments of Algeria and those countries whose nationals have been affected,” said a statement issued to the press last night by Ambassador Masood Khan of Pakistan, which holds the rotating Council presidency for January.

The siege at the facility began on 16 January when militants stormed the gas plant and took the foreign and Algerian workers there hostage. The crisis has reportedly ended, but not before several hostages and militants were killed.

“The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, and urge all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Algerian authorities in this regard,” said the statement.

Council members also 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.