Secretary-General deplores suicide attack in southern Afghanistan

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the suicide bombing in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar which killed some 80 people, stressing that no grievance or political purpose can justify such attacks.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban said the attack “is yet another tragic reminder of the insecurity in Afghanistan that is undermining concerted attempts by the international community and the Government of Afghanistan to rebuild the country after decades of war.

“The contrast between those who take innocent lives so brutally and senselessly and those working with Afghanistan's Government and people to build a better future could not be more stark,” the statement added.

Echoing the Secretary-General's comments, the Security Council noted that the attack was “one of the deadliest in Afghanistan in recent years” and targeted innocent civilians, including children, and police officers.

The 15-member body reiterated that “no terrorist act can reverse the path toward peace, democracy and reconstruction in Afghanistan, which is supported by the people and the Government of Afghanistan and the international community,” in a statement read to the press by Ambassador Ricardo Alberto Arias of Panama, which holds the Council's rotating presidency for January.