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UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged world leaders on Wednesday to throw their weight behind a four-point strategy in dealing with the scourge of terrorism.
"Terrorism constitutes a direct attack on the values the UN stands for: the rule of law; the protection of civilians; peaceful resolution of conflicts; and mutual respect between people of different faiths and cultures," Annan told a summit meeting of the UN Security Council.
"We must thus be at the forefront in the fight against terrorism. That is why, this year, on the anniversary of the Madrid bombings, I proposed a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy for the UN," he added.
On top of the strategy is to dissuade disaffected groups from choosing terrorism as a tactic, Annan said, adding that the international community should complete a comprehensive convention that outlaws terrorism in all its forms.
Under the strategy, actions also need to be taken to prevent terrorists from getting weapons of mass destruction, deter states from supporting terrorists, develop state capacity to prevent terrorism, defend human rights, and help victims of terrorism.
"I hope you will give your full backing to all points of the strategy I have outlined. Let us ensure the UN play its role in this fight to the full," Annan concluded.
The Security Council summit brought together Chinese President Hu Jintao, US President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and leaders of other 12 member states of the council. The meeting was chaired by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose country holds the council presidency for September.
The council meeting took place after the opening of the UN summit, attended by 153 heads of state and government and high-ranking officials from nearly 40 other countries.
(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2005)
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