The Security Council,

Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and its relevant resolutions, in particular resolution 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001,

Reaffirming the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts,

1. Condemns in the strongest terms the heinous act of taking hostages in Moscow, the Russian Federation, on 23 October 2002, as well as other recent terrorist acts in various countries, and regards such acts, like any act of international terrorism, as a threat to international peace and security;

2. Demands immediate and unconditional release of all hostages of this terrorist act;

3. Expresses the deepest sympathy and condolences to the people and the Government of the Russian Federation and to the victims of the terrorist attack and their families;

4. Urges all States, in accordance with their obligations under resolution 1373 (2001), to cooperate with the Russian authorities in their efforts to find and bring to justice the perpetrators, organizers and sponsors of this terrorist attack;

5. Expresses its reinforced determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.