S/PV.7559 Security Council

At the outset of the meeting, I should like, on behalf of the members of the Security Council, to express our profound sadness and deep outrage at the horrendous terrorist attacks that took place in Paris on the evening of 13 November. These attacks led to the loss of so many precious lives, and a huge number of casualties. To the families of the victims, both French and from 19 other countries, at this point, and to the people and the Government of France, the Security Council expresses its heartfelt sympathy and condolences. These and other recent attacks, including the terrorist attacks in Beirut on 12 November, have affected countries and people from all over the world. The members of the Security Council offer their sympathy and condolences to all of the countries affected. I now invite Council members to rise to observe a minute of silence in tribute to the memory of the victims.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council has before it the text of a statement by the President on behalf of the Council on the subject of today’s meeting. In accordance with the understanding reached among the members of the Council, I shall take it that the members of the Security Council agree to the statement, which will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2015/21.