United Nations, Oct 22 (IANS): The UN Security Council on Saturday condemned "in the strongest terms" Friday's terrorist attack in El-Wahat desert in Egypt, where a large number of policemen were killed and injured.

In a press statement issued by Security Council President Francois Delattre, the council members expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and the government of Egypt, and wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured, Xinhua reported.

The Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all states to cooperate actively with the Egyptian government and all relevant authorities in this regard.

The council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

It reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and asked all states to combat by all means threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

At least 54 policemen, including 20 officers and 34 conscripts, were killed when a raid on a militant hideout southwest of Cairo was ambushed, officials said Saturday, becoming one of the deadliest for Egyptian security forces in recent years.