Iran condemns Friday terrorist attack in Afghan capital

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham voiced Tehran's deep regret over the Friday terrorist bombing and shooting in Kabul, and called on the Afghan government and nation to be aware of the divisive plots hatched by the country' enemies to create rift among them. On Saturday, Afkham said Friday’s gun and bomb attack was aimed at destabilizing Afghanistan. The Iranian spokeswoman underscored that the purpose of “such acts of violence and terrorism in Afghanistan” is to disrupt stability and security in the country. She also expressed confidence that the Afghan people and government can weather the sensitive circumstances in the country through unity. On Friday, four UN staff members were killed in a terrorist attack in the Afghan capital of Kabul, a spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon confirmed. A total of 21 people, including 13 foreigners, were killed in the attack, which happened at a Lebanese restaurant, Kabul Police Chief Mohammad Zahir said. Identities of the UN international staffers were not released, nor were their nationalities or positions. "The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the horrific attack at a restaurant in central Kabul," the spokesman said in a statement. "Four UN personnel, along with a number of those from other international organizations, are now confirmed dead". "Such targeted attacks against civilians are completely unacceptable and are in flagrant breach of international humanitarian law. They must stop immediately," added the statement. Earlier, UN Spokesman Farhan Haq told Xinhua that four UN international staff members were believed to be in the vicinity of the restaurant at the time of the Friday evening attack and had not been accounted for hours afterward. "The Secretary-General sends his deepest condolences to the families and colleagues of those killed and his hopes for a swift recovery to those injured," the statement concluded. The Lebanese restaurant is located in a section of the Afghanistan capital popular with foreigners. Several foreign embassies are also nearby. An investigation has been launched into the incident, for which the Taliban insurgent group has claimed responsibility.