Russia called an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council. In its resolution the Security Council condemned the siege of school in Beslan (North Osetia) and called for the immediate release of hostages.
Council President Juan Antonio Yáñez-Barnuevo of Spain read a statement at the formal session condemning “in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist act” which took place at a secondary school in the town of Beslan.
The statement also referred to other deadly terrorist attacks against innocent civilians in Moscow and on two Russian airliners.
Demanding the “immediate and unconditional” release of all hostages, the Council urged countries – in accordance with their obligations under the landmark counter-terrorism resolution adopted in the wake of the September 11th, 2001 attacks on the United States – to “to cooperate actively with the Russian authorities in their efforts to find and bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of these terrorist acts.”
Islamic countries in the UN Security Council were among the first to offer condolences to Russia.
The Council President also reaffirmed that “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, whenever and by whomsoever committed.”

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