Israel demands UN condemnation of attack
Israel files formal complaint with UN Security Council demanding it issue condemnation of deadly terror attack. US President Bush phones PM Olmert to express his condolences, British foreign secretary denounces rampage as 'horrific'
WASHINGTON – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement Wednesday saying he "condemns today's attack in Jerusalem."
Ban's press office said he "sends his condolences to the families of those killed and wishes those injured a speedy recovery."
A short while before his announcement Israel's mission to the UN lodged a complaint with the Security Council, demanding it denounce the deadly terror attack which claimed the lives of three Israelis and wounded dozens more.
The Israeli request recalled the council's failure to condemn the murder of eight seminary students at the Mercaz Harav rabbinical college in March.
Following the attack White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said US President George W. Bush called Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to "express condolences for the terrorist attack." The two leaders also discussed recent developments in the region.
Perino also said that Bush intends to call Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the matter. A close associate of Abbas, Saeb Erekat, also denounced the attack.
Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband sharply denounced the incident as a "horrific act" and extended
his condolences to the victims and their families.
Miliband used the opportunity to address the complexities of the peace process, saying the burgeoning efforts were also being kept in mind. The foreign secretary said Britain is interested in a genuine peace capable of ensuring Israel's security as well as that of the Palestinians.
He cautioned on that note that it remains important to wait and see who is responsible for the attack.
News agencies contributed to this report
