UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has strongly condemned the assassination of Armeina's political leaders by five gunmen who stormed the country's parliament earlier Wednesday, UN officials said October 28.

In a statement issued by his spokesman here late Wednesday, Annan reiterated his total condemnation of terrorism from whatever quarter.

In a separate statement, the president of the 54th General Assembly (GA) session, Theo-Ban Gurirab, Wednesday condemned the terrorist act in Armenia, in which Prime Minister Vazgen Sargissian and other dignitaries were killed, and demanded the immediate release of all hostages.

The prime minister as well as the chairman and deputy chairman of parliament and a minister were killed after five gunmen stormed the Parliamentary Sessions Chamber of the Republic of Armenia and opened fire around 5:00 p.m.(local time).

The some 50 hostages were reported released and the terrorists were in the police custody. (Xinhua)