S/PV.3926 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Following consultations among the members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: “The Security Council strongly condemns the murder of Iranian diplomats in Afghanistan by Taliban combatants. This was a crime committed in flagrant violation of international law and despite repeated assurances by the Taliban leaders guaranteeing the safety and security of the personnel of foreign missions in Mazar-i-Sharif. The killing of Iranian diplomats by Taliban combatants has seriously increased tension in the region. “The Security Council expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the Iranian diplomats and to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It believes that this criminal act should be fully investigated with the participation of the United Nations with a view to prosecuting those responsible. The Council demands that the Taliban release other Iranians detained in Afghanistan and ensure their safe and dignified passage out of Afghanistan without further delay. “The Security Council expresses its deep concern at the escalating military operations in the Bamyan province and at reports of mass killings of civilians in northern Afghanistan. It demands that the Taliban fully respect international humanitarian law and human rights. “The Security Council calls upon all concerned to exercise maximum restraint. It also calls upon the parties, in particular the Taliban, to take action in response to the strong concerns expressed by the international community, to stop fighting and resume negotiations aimed at achieving a peaceful settlement of the conflict on the basis of the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and of the Security Council. “The Security Council will keep the situation under close review and is prepared to consider urgently further action.” This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/1998/27. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.