UN chief condemns deadly Kabul attack

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today condemned the despicable and brutal attack on a UN guesthouse in Kabul,but said the United Nations remained committed to Afghanistan.

I condemn in the strongest possible terms the despicable and brutal killing,for which the Taliban has claimed responsibility in an apparent effort to disrupt the second round of the presidential elections, Ban said in a written statement.

The United Nations remains committed to continue its work in the country. Ban gave his condolences to those he said were viciously killed as they sought to serve the people of Afghanistan. This indeed is a loss to all members of the UN family working together to support Afghanistan at this critical juncture. The attack by Taliban suicide gunmen left six expatriate UN staff dead,the heaviest toll for the world body in Afghanistan since 2001.

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Two security personnel were also killed,and a charred,unidentified body was found in one of the rooms,bringing the total death toll to nine plus the three gunmen.

The United Nations is helping to organise the run-off round next week in Afghanistans presidential election,following a first round marred by reports of large-scale fraud.