By KUNA
United Nations : The Security Council late Thursday condemned in the “strongest terms” the mob attacks in Belgrade against the US Embassy and other embassies of the western countries that recognized the declared independence of Kosovo last Sunday.
The attacks by rioters resulted in the death of one person and damage to embassy premises and endangered diplomatic personnel.
In a statement read out to the press, council President Ricardo Alberto Arias of Panama said the council “recalls the fundamental principle of the inviolability of diplomatic missions and the obligations on host governments, including under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, to take all appropriate steps to protect embassy premises.” At the request of Russia, Serbia’s ally, the council also welcomed the steps taken by the Serbian authorities to restore order and protect diplomatic property and personnel.
US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters on his way to the council to seek action. “I’m outraged by the mob attack against the US embassy in Belgrade. The embassy is sovereign US territory. The government of Serbia has a responsibility under international law to protect diplomatic facilities, particularly embassies.” He said he wanted the council to express “outrage,” condemn the attack and “also remind the Serb government of its responsibility to protect diplomatic facilities.”