Security Council members condemn spate of suicide bombings in Afghanistan

Members of the Security Council have added their collective voices to a growing chorus of United Nations officials condemning rising terrorist violence in Afghanistan.

“The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms recent suicide bombings in Kabul and other parts of Afghanistan, including the one on 10 September that killed Abdul Hakim Tanaiwal, the Governor of Paktia province,” Security Council President Adamantios Vassilakis of Greece said in a press statement issued on Monday.

Council members reiterated their concern at the increasing threat to the local population, national security forces, international military and international assistance efforts.

“The members of the Security Council stressed that no terrorist act can reverse the path toward peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan, which is supported by the people and Government of Afghanistan and the international community,” the Council President said.

On Sunday, the senior United Nations envoy to Afghanistan condemned the recent attacks, particularly the assassination of the Governor of Paktia province. “The murder of Mr. Tanaiwal is entirely beyond my understanding,” said Tom Koenigs. “I condemn it.”

Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Friday evening reacted to the increasing number of terrorist attacks in Afghanistan over recent months. “The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest possible terms these acts, which reflect an inexcusable disregard for the value of human life and only serve to undermine the country's transition,” his spokesman said in a statement.