"The Council is deeply concerned by the increase, in many regions of the world of acts of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," the Council said in a statement read out at an open meeting by the body's current President, Ambassador Sergey Lavrov of the Russian Federation.

The statement reiterated the Council's readiness "to take necessary steps in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations in order to counter terrorist threats to international peace and security." It also welcomed the efforts of the General Assembly and other UN bodies aimed at combating international terrorism. In addition, the Council called on all States to implement the provisions of the Council's major anti-terrorism measure, resolution 1269 (1999), which outlined a series of actions, including denying safe haven to terrorists, apprehending them, and cooperating in the fight against terrorism.

Today's action on the issue was preceded by an extended discussion, which began with a briefing by the UN Legal Counsel, Hans Corell. He reviewed the Organization's role in the elaboration of major anti-terrorism treaties, including the International Convention against Terrorist Bombings and the International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism. The Legal Counsel also described the UN's work in compiling data on terrorism, including through its Vienna-based Terrorism Prevention Centre.

Mr. Corell said that a number of obstacles were hampering international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, including links between terrorist groups and organized crime as well as the perceived relationship between religion and terrorism in some parts of the world.

"One can only express the hope that practical cooperation is extended whenever possible, and that States realize that cooperation is indispensable if they are to succeed in countering terrorism and eliminating this cowardly form of indiscriminate violence against innocent people," he said.