UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his shock and condemnation of the recent car bombing in Algiers that killed 17 UN staff. He emphasized that terrorism is never justified and must be condemned in the name of humanity and the international community. Ban was deeply affected by the attack, which was one of two bombings that day resulting in the deaths of at least 37 people in Algiers. These attacks were a significant setback for the OPEC member country, which is working towards rebuilding after a devastating civil war in the 1990s. "I want to offer my heartfelt sympathy to the government and people of Algeria, as well as the families of the victims and my colleagues at the United Nations." Ban was seen being driven in a heavily guarded convoy to the Hydra district, where he inspected the damaged offices of the UN's refugee agency and the UN Development Programme. Reporters were not allowed to accompany him. A second suicide car bombing on Dec. 11 caused damage to the Constitutional Court building in the Ben Aknoun district. Al Qaeda's North African branch claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating that they were targeting those they referred to as "the slaves of America and France." Ban met with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in Algeria to discuss their collaboration in fighting terrorism, as well as topics such as climate change, illegal migration, and the issue of Western Sahara. The United Nations confirmed the identities of the deceased UN employees, including 14 Algerians and one individual each from Denmark, Senegal, and the Philippines. Ban condemned the bombings as an attack on those working towards noble causes under the UN banner, stating that it was an assault on all of humanity. The UN Development Programme Administrator, Kemal Dervis, mentioned during a recent visit to Algiers that the United Nations was enhancing security measures at its offices worldwide following the attacks, but noted that additional funding would be necessary.