The United States has welcomed the U.N. Security Council decision to adopt a presidential statement that denounces the sinking of the Cheonan naval ship.

In a statement issued Friday, the White House said the Security Council statement condemns the North Korean attack on the Cheonan and warns the North that the international community will not tolerate such aggressive behavior toward South Korea.

The White House also said the U.S. commends South Korean restraint in the face of North Korean belligerence and reiterated Washington’s unwavering commitment to the defense of South Korea.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also issued a statement, saying the Security Council statement sends a clear message that such irresponsible and provocative behavior by the North is a threat to peace and security in the region and will not be tolerated.

The State Department’s acting spokesman, Mark Toner, told reporters that the statement is a strong one sending a clear message to North Korea. Toner added that the statement also unanimously condemns the attack and legitimizes the findings of a military-civilian joint probe team that investigated the sinking of the Cheonan and the team's finding of North Korean responsibility.