OREANDA-NEWS. The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres:

The Secretary-General condemns the terrorist attack carried out at a hotel in the outskirts of Bamako on 18 June.

The Secretary-General expresses his condolences to the bereaved and the families of the victims, as well as to the people and Government of Mali, and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.

The Secretary-General commends the rapid response by the Malian defence and security forces and the French forces, which the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) supported.

The Secretary-General has offered his full support to the Government of Mali in its efforts to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice. This act strengthens the United Nations determination to support the people of Mali, the Government and the signatory armed groups in their efforts to uphold the peace agreement, to counter terrorism and violent extremism and their quest for lasting peace and stability.