UNITED NATIONS, June 23 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday condemned Sunday's terrorist attack on a church in Damascus, Syria, said his spokesman.
The secretary-general reiterates that all perpetrators of terrorism must be held accountable. He takes note that the Syrian interim authorities have condemned this attack and, after a preliminary investigation, attributed it to the Islamic State. He calls for a full investigation, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.
Guterres expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a swift recovery to those injured. He reaffirms the commitment of the United Nations to supporting the Syrian people in their pursuit of peace, dignity, and justice, said the statement.
A suicide attack during the Sunday evening Mass at the St. Elias Orthodox Church in the predominantly Christian Dweilaa neighborhood of Damascus killed at least 22 people and wounded 63 others. ■
