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UN staff killed in Kabul attack UN staff killed in Kabul attack
(40 minutes later)
Six foreign UN employees have been killed and nine wounded in an attack in the Afghan capital, Kabul, the UN says.Six foreign UN employees have been killed and nine wounded in an attack in the Afghan capital, Kabul, the UN says.
Heavy gunfire and an explosion were heard at a guesthouse used by the UN, after militants entered the building.Heavy gunfire and an explosion were heard at a guesthouse used by the UN, after militants entered the building.
The attack, for which the Taliban claimed responsibility, comes 10 days before the second round of presidential elections is due to be held. The Taliban said they carried out the attack, which comes 10 days before the second round of presidential elections is due to be held.
Later rockets were fired at the Serena Hotel in the city, which is used by diplomats and other foreigners. Later, rockets were fired at the Serena Hotel in the city, which is used by diplomats and other foreigners.
No-one has been reported injured at the hotel, but about 100 people inside at the time were taken to secure rooms as smoke filled the lobby.No-one has been reported injured at the hotel, but about 100 people inside at the time were taken to secure rooms as smoke filled the lobby.
Taliban warningTaliban warning
The attack at the guesthouse happened just before 0600 (0130 GMT), Afghan police and the UN said.The attack at the guesthouse happened just before 0600 (0130 GMT), Afghan police and the UN said.
This has clearly been a very serious incident for us - we've not had an incident like this in the past Adrian EdwardsUN spokesman ANALYSIS Andrew North, BBC News, Kabul
It is a private guesthouse which is used by UN and other international organisations. These attacks on two high-profile targets have spread a lot of fear.
Security preparations were getting under way to protect the vote on 7 November. There are thousands of Afghan troops in and around Kabul but determined militants are still able to get through.
The UN guesthouses have to conform to specific rules on security but we don't know how these militants were able to get through the security.
It is a private guesthouse, used by UN and other international organisations.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in a telephone call to the Associated Press.Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in a telephone call to the Associated Press.
He said three Taliban militants with suicide vests, grenades and machine guns carried out the assault. He said three Taliban militants with suicide vests, grenades and machine guns had carried out the assault.
The spokesman added that last week the Taliban had threatened to target anyone working on the Afghan run-off presidential election between incumbent Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah. UN spokesman Aleem Siddique told the BBC there was gunfire and an explosion outside the building as UN employees tried to flee. A number of streets were cordoned off by police.
"This is our first attack," he said. The three gunmen were shot dead and the incident ended at about 0830 (0400GMT).
UN spokesman Aleem Siddique told the BBC there was gunfire and an explosion outside the building, as UN employees tried to flee.
A number of streets were cordoned off by the police as the gunfire continued.
It was not immediately known how many people were inside the building
Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary said the operation was now over, and the security forces were in control of the building.
The three gunmen were shot dead and the incident ended about 0830 (0400GMT), more than two hours after it began.
Two members of the Afghan security forces and an Afghan civilian were also killed, police told the BBC.Two members of the Afghan security forces and an Afghan civilian were also killed, police told the BBC.
It was not immediately known how many people were inside the building at the time. It was not immediately known how many people were inside the guesthouse at the time.
A current Kabul resident, David Cook, told the BBC the attack involved multiple grenades and automatic weapons.
It was not immediately known how many people were inside the building
"I saw people on the roof [security guards] and one woman climbed down from a second storey balcony after she had stood screaming and shouting for about five minutes for someone to come help her. Much of the gunfire was random - security guards shooting at nothing," he said.
Afghan interior ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary said the operation was now over, and the security forces were in control of the building.
Mr Bashary praised the effectiveness of the security operation and said he hoped this would not point to further attacks in the run-up to the voting.
"We are preparing to strengthen the vulnerable points and the security belt for the centre of the city," he told the BBC.
But the Taliban spokesman said they had threatened to target anyone working on the Afghan run-off presidential election between incumbent Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah.
"This is our first attack," he said.
Another UN spokesman, Adrian Edwards, said: "This has clearly been a very serious incident for us. We've not had an incident like this in the past."Another UN spokesman, Adrian Edwards, said: "This has clearly been a very serious incident for us. We've not had an incident like this in the past."
Kabul has been attacked regularly in recent months, with Taliban fighters targeting foreign troops or government offices.Kabul has been attacked regularly in recent months, with Taliban fighters targeting foreign troops or government offices.
The latest incident comes amid heightened tension in the country over the first round of presidential elections marred by widespread fraud in favour of President Karzai. The latest incident comes amid heightened tension in the country over the first round of presidential elections, which was marred by widespread fraud.
The UN is playing a leading role in organising the polls.The UN is playing a leading role in organising the polls.
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