Afghanistan: condemning latest Kabul attack, Security Council deplores all 'attempts to disrupt elections'

Emphasizing its ongoing support for Afghanistan's democratic process, the United Nations Security Council strongly condemned today's bomb attack in Kabul, which caused a number of deaths and injuries to civilians and security personnel.

In a statement to the press issues this evening in New York, the Council deplored the deadly double-bombing, which, according to news reports, struck the convoy of an Afghan presidential candidate as it left a campaign event in the capital earlier today, killing at least six people but leaving the candidate unharmed.

“The members of the Security Council reiterate their condemnation of the actions of anybody who carries out terrorist attacks against civilians, or attempts to disrupt elections by targeting election personnel, candidates or infrastructure,” said the statement, in which the Council members expressed deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims.

In early April, Afghans thronged to polling stations to cast their ballots for a successor to President Hamid Karzai and members of 34 provincial councils. Following a run-off election, the presidential poll will result in the first democratic transfer of power from one elected leader to another in the country.

In their statement, Council members underlined their support for Afghanistan's democratic processes and looked forward to the second round of the presidential election and the continued orderly transition to a new administration.

The Council reiterated its serious concern at the threats posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other terrorist and extremist groups, and illegal armed groups to the local population, national security forces and international military and international assistance efforts in Afghanistan.

Underlining the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these “reprehensible acts of terrorism” to justice, the Security Council in its statement, urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Afghan authorities in this regard.

“The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation,” said the statement, adding that the Council's 15 members also reiterated their determination to combat threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, in accordance with the UN Charter and all obligations under international law.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that no terrorist act can reverse the path towards Afghan-led peace, democracy and stability in Afghanistan, which is supported by the people and the Government of Afghanistan and by the international community.