S/RES/579 (1985)
                                                       18 December 1985

                        RESOLUTION 579 (1985)

         Adopted by the Security Council at its 2637th meeting
                        on 18 December 1985

     The Security Council,

     Deeply disturbed at the prevalence of incidents of hostage-taking
and abduction, several of which are of protracted duration and have
included loss of life,

     Considering that the taking of hostages and abductions are offences
of grave concern to the international community, having severe adverse
consequences for the rights of the victims and for the promotion of
friendly relations and co-operation among States,

     Recalling the statement of 9 October 1985 by the President of
Security Council resolutely condemning all acts of terrorism,
including hostage-taking (S/17554),

     Recalling also resolution 40/61 of 9 December 1985 of the
General Assembly,

     Bearing in mind the International Convention against the
Taking of Hostages adopted on 17 December 1979, the Convention on the
Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected
Persons Including Diplomatic Agents adopted on 14 December 1973, the
Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety
of Civil Aviation adopted on 23 September 1971, the Convention for
the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft adopted on 16 December
1970, and other relevant conventions,

     1.  Condemns unequivocally all acts of hostage-taking and
abduction;

     2.  Calls for the immediate safe release of all hostages and
abducted persons wherever and by whomever they are being held;

     3.  Affirms the obligation of all States in whose territory
hostages or abducted persons are held urgently to take all appropriate
measures to secure their safe release and to prevent the commission
of acts of hostage-taking and abduction in the future;

     4.  Appeals to all States that have not yet done so to consider
the possibility of becoming parties to the International Convention
against the Taking of Hostages adopted on 17 December 1979, the
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against
Internationally Protected Persons Including Diplomatic Agents adopted
on 14 December 1973, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful
Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation adopted on 23 September 1971,
the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft
adopted on 16 December 1970, and other relevant conventions;

     5.  Urges the further development of international co-operation
among States in devising and adopting effective measures which are
in accordance with the rules of international law to facilitate the
prevention, prosecution and punishment of all acts of hostage-taking
and abduction as manifestations of international terrorism.