predominant consideration, at least not in this case. I say “in this case” because, as surely as night follows day, it is clear that our action was pinpointed against the terrorists themselves and the extra-territorial base from which they operated, not against the host country, whatever its responsibilities. The false assertion that we somehow via- lated the sovereignty of a State would appear even more ludicrous here than it appeared in the case of Entebbe. 167. Since when did the rights of sovereignty include the right to shelter professional murderers, whose web of ter- ror covers the entire world? Consider the pirates of the 19th century who ravaged the Mediterranean from Cyprus to Gibraltar and took refuge on the very coast of North Africa that we are dealing with here today. Did they enjoy immunity? Or are we going back to the distant times when there, was no vestige of international order? 168. Terrorism, ,like piracy, can enjoy no political im- munity, no, military protection, no legal privileges; the only connection it has to sovereignty is the obligation of the sovereign to exclude it from its domain. To assert that the victims of terrorism should be handcuffed so that they may be prevented from defending themselves, so that the terror- ists roam free and unpunished, is to invite the rule of lawlessness and savagery. The civilized world will commit a terrible error if it plays politics with this issue. For what is at stake here are the very foundations of society and the future of freedom in the world. 169. The PRESIDENT: The representative of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya has asked to speak in exercise of the right of reply. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. 170. Mr. FARTAS (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (interprefa- 
**Analysis**
This text appears to be a speech or statement made by a representative of a country in a United Nations council, likely in response to a specific event or incident involving terrorism. The speaker emphasizes the importance of defending against terrorism and the need for the international community to take action against it. The text does not mention specific economic, social, or environmental issues, but rather focuses on the political and legal aspects of combating terrorism.

**Category**
International relations, Security