UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- With its global reach, the UN remains key in the coordination of international efforts in fighting terrorist acts, a senior South African diplomat aid Monday.

"The importance of its support to Member States to address their specific challenges in countering ISIL cannot be underestimated," Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, told a UN Security Council meeting, referring to the Islamic State terrorist group.

Countering lSIL requires a coherent, coordinated response, underpinned by strengthened cooperation at the domestic, bilateral, regional and international levels, including the sharing of information and experiences, he said.

South Africa has always supported a holistic approach to countering the threat of terrorism, he said.

Security measures alone will not succeed in countering the threat, the South African diplomat said, adding that what gives rise to it and its prevention are equally important.

In this regard, the envoy said that South Africa supports a whole of government and a whole of society approach that also addresses the role of women and children, youth, civil society, private sector and communities.

It is also of great importance to South Africa to emphasize that measures taken to counter the threat of ISIL comply with obligations under international law, he said.