Ban condemns terror attacks in Afghanistan

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned "in the strongest terms" a series of deadly attacks in Afghanistan, including an assault on a hotel in Kabul that killed nine people, including four foreigners.
"The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the deadly attacks that have killed over 50 civilians in Afghanistan this week," including a suicide attack on a market in Faryab province, an attack on a police station in the eastern city of Jalalabad and the March 20 attack on a hotel in Kabul, a statement issued by Ban's spokesperson said.
"These attacks took place as Afghans prepare to celebrate Nowruz, the start of the new year and a time when Afghans celebrate the values of peace and solidarity among communities. The deliberate targeting of civilians is a flagrant breach of these values as well as of international humanitarian law," he said.

The powerful UN Security Council issued a press statement condemning in the "strongest terms" the terrorist attack in the Kabul hotel that left nine people dead, including an Afghan journalist, his wife and two children.
"The members of the Security Council reiterated their serious concern at the threats posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and illegal armed groups to the local population, national security forces, and international military and international assistance efforts in Afghanistan, particularly in light of recent terrorist attacks elsewhere in the country," it said.
The Council underlined the need to bring the "perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice" and urged all States to cooperate actively with the Afghan authorities.

Ban said the people of Afghanistan demand an end to such violence and have sent out a message calling for peace and a ceasefire in the war-torn nation.
The message has been signed by nearly a quarter of a million women across the country and is another indication of the strong demands of the Afghan people for peace in their country, Ban said.
Expressing sympathy with the families of the victims, the UNSC members reiterated that no terrorist act can reverse the path towards Afghan-led peace, democracy and stability in Afghanistan, which is supported by the people, Afghan government and the international community.