UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his shock at the recent car bombing in Algiers that killed 17 UN staff. Ban, who was visiting the site of the attack, stated that terrorism is never justified and must be condemned by the international community. He also mentioned his shock at the attack, which was one of two bombings that occurred in Algiers on December 11, resulting in the deaths of at least 37 people. These attacks were the second major bombing in the capital this year, as the country looks to rebuild following a devastating civil war in the 1990s. "I offer my heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Algeria, as well as to the families of the victims and my UN colleagues." Ban was taken in a heavily guarded convoy to the Hydra district of the city, where he assessed the damage at the UN's refugee agency and the UN Development Programme offices. Journalists were not allowed to go with Ban to the site. The second suicide car bombing on December 11 affected the Constitutional Court building in the Ben Aknoun district. Responsibility for the attacks was claimed by Al Qaeda's North African branch, who stated that they were targeting those they referred to as "the slaves of America and France." Ban and President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria discussed their decision to collaborate closely in the fight against terrorism, as well as their conversations on climate change, illegal migration, and the issue of Western Sahara. The United Nations has confirmed that 14 Algerians and one victim each from Denmark, Senegal, and the Philippines were among the deceased UN employees. Ban condemned the bombings as an attack on those who serve humanity under the UN banner, while UN Development Programme Administrator Kemal Dervis mentioned the organization's plans to enhance security at its offices worldwide following the attacks, noting that this would require additional funding.