UNITED NATIONS, Ramadan 18, 1437, June 23, 2016, SPA -- The U.N. Security Council on Thursday strongly condemned two North Korean ballistic missile launches this week, calling them a "grave violation" of a ban on all ballistic missile activity that is contributing to the country's nuclear weapons program, according to AP. The council reiterated its demand that North Korea end its "flagrant" violations, halt all nuclear tests and ballistic missile activity, and comply with five U.N. sanctions resolutions imposed since the country's first nuclear test in 2006. In a statement approved by all 15 members, the council said Wednesday's launches contribute to North Korea's development of nuclear weapons delivery systems and increase tensions in the region. The Security Council urged all countries "to redouble their efforts" to fully implement sanctions against North Korea, especially those imposed in March which were the toughest in two decades. Those sanctions include mandatory inspections of cargo leaving and entering North Korea by land, sea or air; a ban on all sales or transfers of small arms and light weapons to Pyongyang; and expulsion of diplomats from the North who engage in "illicit activities." --SPA 01:16 LOCAL TIME 22:16 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w