The President

After consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council:

"The Security Council condemns in the strongest possible terms the assassination today, 27 July 2005, of the two Algerian diplomats accredited at the Algerian Embassy to Iraq, Mr. Ali Belaroussi and Mr. Azzedine Belkadi, and expresses its condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Algeria.

"The Security Council emphasizes that there can be no justification for such terrorist acts and underlines the need to bring to justice its perpetrators.

"The Security Council reaffirms its unwavering support for the Iraqi people in their political transition, as outlined in resolution 1546 (2004). The Security Council also reaffirms Iraq's independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and calls upon the international community to stand by the Iraqi people in their pursuit of peace, stability and democracy."

This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2005/37.

The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.