UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council on Monday called for an international investigation into last week’s downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger flight in eastern Ukraine, and demanded that armed groups allow unfettered access to the crash site.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member body condemned “in the strongest terms” the downing of flight MH17 in Donetsk, Ukraine, which resulted in the loss of 298 lives.

It supported efforts to establish “a full, thorough and independent international investigation” into the incident in accordance with international civil aviation guidelines.

Council members also insisted on the “dignified, respectful and professional” treatment and recovery of the bodies of the victims.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd , 2014