The United Nations Security Council and the European Union condemned the Friday killing of 16 Egyptian policemen in a shootout with terrorists in Western Desert, continuing international condemnation of the event.

In an official statement, the UNSC denounced “in the strongest terms” the terrorist attack, underlining the need to bring the perpetrators and sponsors of such “reprehensible acts” to justice.

“Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security,” the Security Council members said in a press statement on Saturday.

“Any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed,” the UNSC reiterated, underlining the need for all UN Member States to combat by all means -- in accordance with the UN Charter -- threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

The EU also issued a statement on Saturday denouncing the attack.

"As we continue to follow developments on the ground, the EU reiterates that it stands with the Egyptian people and authorities in facing terrorism," said Catherine Ray, spokesperson for the EU's High Representative, in the statement.

The condemnations, among several from other European and Arab countries, came after a Friday attack that killed 16 policemen and injured 13 others in a shootout with terrorists in Egypt’s Western Desert.

According to the interior ministry, security forces killed and injured 15 terrorists during the shootout.

Meanwhile, Spain also condemned the attack on Sunday.

In an official press release sent via its envoy in Cairo, the Spanish government said it "condemns in strongest terms the assault on Egyptian security forces,” reaffirming its strong commitment to support Egypt in fighting terrorism.

The parliament of Libya, which shares a lond border with Egypt cutting the Western Desert and is itself mired in a civil war, also denounced the attack, emphasizing the importance of joint security coordination with Egypt to eliminate terrorist organizations.

“The Parliament of Libya and the Libyan nation affirm solidarity with Egypt in its war against terrorism and extremism,” the statement read, adding that the war against terrorism was shared in "common" between the two countries.

The Iraqi foreign ministry also stressed on Baghdad’s supportive stance towards Egypt.

“The Iraqi foreign ministry strongly condemns the terror attack that targeted Egyptian policemen in Giza,” ministry spokesman Ahmed Mahgoub said in a statement.


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