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Both Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and the Security Council issued strong condemnations of today's attack on former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Here is Ban's statement.

I am shocked and outraged by the assassination of Mrs. Benazir Bhutto, the leader of the Pakistan People's Party and former Prime Minister. This represents an assault on stability in Pakistan and its democratic processes. I strongly condemn this heinous crime and call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice as soon as possible. I convey my heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Bhutto's family, her colleagues and to the people of Pakistan. While strongly urging for calm and restraint to be maintained at this difficult time, I call on all Pakistanis to work together for peace and national unity.

Calling on all Pakistanis to exercise restraint and maintain stability in the country, the Council underlined the need to bring the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of the "reprehensible act of terrorism" to justice, urging all States to cooperate actively with the Pakistani authorities in that regard.

The Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constituted one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and that any acts of terrorism were criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. It reminded States that any measures taken to combat terrorism complied with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

Posted by Mark Leon Goldberg at 6:02 PM