Security Council strongly condemns murder of former Afghan president

The Security Council strongly condemned yesterday’s terrorist attack in Afghanistan that claimed the life of former president Burhanuddin Rabbani and wounded several others.

Mr. Rabbani – who was serving as Chairman of the High Peace Council in Afghanistan – was killed at his home in the capital, Kabul, as he was meeting with members of the Taliban as part of his efforts to spearhead peace and reconciliation in the country.

In a statement read out to the press by Ambassador Nawaf Salam of Lebanon, which holds the Council’s presidency for this month, the 15-member body said that the murder of Mr. Rabbani was aimed “directly against the hopes of the Afghan people for peace and reconciliation.”

Council members expressed their deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the victims of the “heinous” act and their families, as well as to the people and Government of Afghanistan.

They also reiterated their firm commitment to support the Afghan Government and its efforts to advance the peace and reconciliation process.

In the wake of yesterday’s attack, which drew the condemnation of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), UN envoy Staffan de Mistura stressed that “the search for peace must continue,” adding that the mission will assist efforts to bring peace to the violence-wracked country.