President underlines need to address menace of terrorism

President Pratibha Patil today thanked the international community for India's election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and said the country will contribute to addressing global issues, including terrorism, more effectively.

Patil underlined the need to address the menace of terrorism which was "threatening peace".

India was grateful to the international community for the support extended and the confidence shown in its capability to be a voice of stability as well as development in global affairs, she said.

The president said this to the seven envoys who presented their credentials to her, at a ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan today.

In a statement, her office said, "The president mentioned the necessity of addressing the menace of terrorism which was threatening peace. She also referred to the importance of co-ordinated action by the international community in economic and financial matters.

"The president further said that India was committed to building friendly ties and extending cooperation in mutually beneficial fields with other countries."

The envoys who presented their credentials to the president were Fatos Kerciku, the ambassador of Albania; Freddy Svane, the ambassador of Denmark; Khaled El Bakly, the ambassador of Egypt; Kim Joong-keun, the mbassador of Republic of Korea; Ahmed Tahsin Ahmad Berwari, the ambassador of Iraq; Andre Sanra, the ambassador of Benin; and Giacomo Sanfelice di Monteforte, the ambassador of Italy.