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UN defiant after Kabul killings UN chief condemns Kabul killings
(29 minutes later)
The UN has condemned a Taliban raid on a guesthouse in Kabul that killed six of its employees and vowed it would not deter its work in Afghanistan. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned as "despicable and brutal" a Taliban attack which killed six UN workers in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
The head of the UN mission, Kai Eide, said this was a "very dark day" but the UN remained "committed to Afghanistan". But Mr Ban said the UN remained committed to its Afghanistan mission.
The three attackers were also killed, along with two Afghan security personnel and a civilian. Three Afghans also died when suicide bombers stormed a UN guesthouse in Kabul. The three attackers were killed in a long battle with security forces.
The Taliban said the attack was the first step in its bid to disrupt next week's presidential run-off election.
In a separate attack, rockets were fired at the city's five-star Serena Hotel but no-one was injured.In a separate attack, rockets were fired at the city's five-star Serena Hotel but no-one was injured.
'Family loss''Family loss'
The attack on the private Bekhtar guesthouse in the Shar-i-Naw district was the deadliest on the United Nations in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban regime.The attack on the private Bekhtar guesthouse in the Shar-i-Naw district was the deadliest on the United Nations in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban regime.
ANALYSIS Andrew North, BBC News, KabulANALYSIS Andrew North, BBC News, Kabul
These attacks on two high-profile targets have spread a lot of fear.These attacks on two high-profile targets have spread a lot of fear.
Every building where UN staff work or live has to conform to minimum security rules and one question that will be asked is, how did these gunmen get into this building?Every building where UN staff work or live has to conform to minimum security rules and one question that will be asked is, how did these gunmen get into this building?
President Hamid Karzai has said he wants more security for foreign workers but in all the years I have been coming here there is more security in place than ever before, more concrete blast barriers, more troops in the street, but that still cannot prevent determined militants getting through.President Hamid Karzai has said he wants more security for foreign workers but in all the years I have been coming here there is more security in place than ever before, more concrete blast barriers, more troops in the street, but that still cannot prevent determined militants getting through.
Will sending more troops turn the tide? That is the question that right now US President Barack Obama is facing.Will sending more troops turn the tide? That is the question that right now US President Barack Obama is facing.
The Taliban said they carried out the attack and vowed there would be more in the run-up to the second round of presidential elections on 7 November.The Taliban said they carried out the attack and vowed there would be more in the run-up to the second round of presidential elections on 7 November.
"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the despicable and brutal killing," Mr Ban said in a written statement.
"The United Nations remains committed to continue its work in the country," he added.
The UN chief offered his condolences to those he said were "viciously killed" as they "sought to serve the people of Afghanistan".
"This indeed is a loss to all members of the UN family working together to support Afghanistan at this critical juncture," the statement said.
The head of the UN mission, Kai Eide, said it was a "very dark day" and pledged to review security procedures.
Mr Eide said he could not yet give details of the nationalities of the UN victims, although the US embassy has confirmed one of the dead was an American.Mr Eide said he could not yet give details of the nationalities of the UN victims, although the US embassy has confirmed one of the dead was an American.
Mr Eide said: "I strongly condemn the attack this morning. In addition to the six UN staff, two Afghan security personnel and a civilian were also killed.
"My profound condolences go to the families and friends of those who have been the victims of this attack. It's more than that, it's also a loss to each and every member of the UN family here in Afghanistan."
Mr Eide said an attack on the UN was also an attack on the Afghan people.
He added: "This attack will not, I repeat not, deter the UN from continuing its work to reconstruct a war-torn country and to build a better future for the Afghan people. We will remain committed to Afghanistan."
However, he said there would be a review of security procedures.
Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen also condemned the attack.Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen also condemned the attack.
"The victims of these terrorist attacks were devoted to helping the Afghan people build better lives. In targeting them, the Taliban has demonstrated once again that it is truly an enemy of the Afghan people.""The victims of these terrorist attacks were devoted to helping the Afghan people build better lives. In targeting them, the Taliban has demonstrated once again that it is truly an enemy of the Afghan people."
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said the attack was "an inhuman act".Afghan President Hamid Karzai said the attack was "an inhuman act".
The US embassy said it was "shocked and saddened".The US embassy said it was "shocked and saddened".
"Attacking civilian workers will not lessen our determination to support the Afghan people and their election process," the embassy said."Attacking civilian workers will not lessen our determination to support the Afghan people and their election process," the embassy said.
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."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."
GuttedGutted
The attack on the guesthouse, which is used by the UN and other international organisations, happened just before 0600 (0130 GMT).The attack on the guesthouse, which is used by the UN and other international organisations, happened just before 0600 (0130 GMT).
KABUL YEAR OF VIOLENCE 24 Oct: Six UN staff and three Afghans killed in attack on UN guesthouse8 Oct: Suicide bomber attacks Indian embassy, killing at least 1717 Sept: Six Italian soldiers and 10 Afghans die in bomb attack on military convoy18 Aug: Suicide car bomber kills 10 in attack on convoy of Western troops11 Feb: Assault on three government buildings kills 27, including eight attackers Eyewitness accounts In pictures: Kabul UN attacks US to pay Taliban to switch sidesKABUL YEAR OF VIOLENCE 24 Oct: Six UN staff and three Afghans killed in attack on UN guesthouse8 Oct: Suicide bomber attacks Indian embassy, killing at least 1717 Sept: Six Italian soldiers and 10 Afghans die in bomb attack on military convoy18 Aug: Suicide car bomber kills 10 in attack on convoy of Western troops11 Feb: Assault on three government buildings kills 27, including eight attackers Eyewitness accounts In pictures: Kabul UN attacks US to pay Taliban to switch sides
Three Taliban militants with suicide vests, grenades and machine guns carried out the assault.Three Taliban militants with suicide vests, grenades and machine guns carried out the assault.
UN spokesman Aleem Siddique told the BBC there was gunfire and an explosion outside the building as UN employees tried to flee. Streets were cordoned off by police.UN spokesman Aleem Siddique told the BBC there was gunfire and an explosion outside the building as UN employees tried to flee. Streets were cordoned off by police.
The three gunmen were shot dead and the incident ended at about 0830 local time.The three gunmen were shot dead and the incident ended at about 0830 local time.
It was not immediately known how many people were inside the guesthouse at the time. The building was gutted by fire.It was not immediately known how many people were inside the guesthouse at the time. The building was gutted by fire.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in a telephone call to the Associated Press and said it was the "first attack" in the run-up to the second round of the presidential election.Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in a telephone call to the Associated Press and said it was the "first attack" in the run-up to the second round of the presidential election.
Mr Karzai will face his rival Abdullah Abdullah in the vote.Mr Karzai will face his rival Abdullah Abdullah in the vote.
In the attack on the Serena Hotel, one or two rockets were said to have landed in the compound's grounds.In the attack on the Serena Hotel, one or two rockets were said to have landed in the compound's grounds.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
No-one was reported to be injured at the hotel, which is used by diplomats and other foreigners, but about 100 people inside at the time were taken to secure rooms as smoke filled the lobby.No-one was reported to be injured at the hotel, which is used by diplomats and other foreigners, but about 100 people inside at the time were taken to secure rooms as smoke filled the lobby.
The Serena was also attacked by militants in January last year, with seven people killed.The Serena was also attacked by militants in January last year, with seven people killed.
The BBC's Ian Pannell in Kabul says that given the huge number of security personnel in the city, it is difficult to see how security there could be increased further.The BBC's Ian Pannell in Kabul says that given the huge number of security personnel in the city, it is difficult to see how security there could be increased further.
The UN is playing a leading role in organising the run-off election and our correspondent says it is clearly a tactic of the Taliban to prevent its staff from going about their business safely.The UN is playing a leading role in organising the run-off election and our correspondent says it is clearly a tactic of the Taliban to prevent its staff from going about their business safely.
There has been heightened tension in Afghanistan since the first round of the presidential election, which was marred by widespread fraud.There has been heightened tension in Afghanistan since the first round of the presidential election, which was marred by widespread fraud.
Are you in Kabul? Did you witness the explosion or the gunfire? Following this attack what are your views on your countries' involvement in Afghanistan? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Kabul? Did you witness the explosion or the gunfire? Following this attack what are your views on your countries' involvement in Afghanistan? Send us your comments using the form below.
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