Ban Ki-moon outraged by terrorist attack on Pakistani mosque

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned today’s suicide bombing at a Pakistan mosque that claimed the lives of over 50 people and injured many others.

Mr. Ban is “appalled” by the attack, his spokesperson said in a statement, and “strongly condemns this act of terrorism carried out at a house of worship.”

Media reports say an explosion tore through the mosque, near the city of Peshawar in north-western Pakistan, as about 1,000 people gathered for prayers marking the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.

The country has witnessed a spate of violence in recent months, including a particularly deadly terrorist attack against the convoy of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto which killed more than 100 people.

“The Secretary-General urges all political forces in Pakistan to unite against the scourge of terrorism and to act together to create a peaceful environment ahead of the Parliamentary elections scheduled for 8 January 2008,” the statement added.