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Militants attack Afghan capital Militants attack Afghan capital
(10 minutes later)
Suspected Taliban militants have launched an attack in the Afghan capital Kabul, setting off explosions and sparking a gun battle.Suspected Taliban militants have launched an attack in the Afghan capital Kabul, setting off explosions and sparking a gun battle.
The fighting erupted near the Serena Hotel and presidential palace, although Afghan President Hamid Karzai says security has now been restored.The fighting erupted near the Serena Hotel and presidential palace, although Afghan President Hamid Karzai says security has now been restored.
The Taliban said 20 fighters were involved. Afghan officials say at least five people have been killed. The Taliban said 20 fighters were involved. Afghan officials say at least five people died and dozens were hurt.
This is the latest in a series of increasingly brazen attacks on Kabul.This is the latest in a series of increasingly brazen attacks on Kabul.
A statement on a Taliban website said the raid had specifically targeted government buildings and the hotel.A statement on a Taliban website said the raid had specifically targeted government buildings and the hotel.
'Under control''Under control'
BBC correspondents say there have been at least two explosions.BBC correspondents say there have been at least two explosions.
A suicide bomber in a car detonated explosives near the education ministry, with unconfirmed reports of a number of casualties.A suicide bomber in a car detonated explosives near the education ministry, with unconfirmed reports of a number of casualties.
A second smaller explosion hit the Cinema Pamir area of Kabul.A second smaller explosion hit the Cinema Pamir area of Kabul.
The BBC's Allan Little, at the scene, says the Afghan army has taken up positions on buildings and the battle appeared to move to the south of the city centre.The BBC's Allan Little, at the scene, says the Afghan army has taken up positions on buildings and the battle appeared to move to the south of the city centre.
Afghan MP Daoud Sultanzoy said he also had reports the gunmen had moved, taking over a building "about 500m or 800m south of the previous area that they were in charge of".Afghan MP Daoud Sultanzoy said he also had reports the gunmen had moved, taking over a building "about 500m or 800m south of the previous area that they were in charge of".
But a statement from the president's office said: "The Afghan president wants to assure the inhabitants of Kabul that the security situation is under control and order has once again been restored."But a statement from the president's office said: "The Afghan president wants to assure the inhabitants of Kabul that the security situation is under control and order has once again been restored."
It added: "The president condemns these terrorist attacks and has instructed the security entities to intensify security in the city and take action to arrest those responsible for these brutal and unpatriotic attacks."It added: "The president condemns these terrorist attacks and has instructed the security entities to intensify security in the city and take action to arrest those responsible for these brutal and unpatriotic attacks."
Earlier, Nato's Isaf force said it was "working closely with our Afghan partners to aggressively contain the situation".Earlier, Nato's Isaf force said it was "working closely with our Afghan partners to aggressively contain the situation".
Casualties cannot be confirmed, but there are reports of a number of wounded people being ferried away in ambulances.Casualties cannot be confirmed, but there are reports of a number of wounded people being ferried away in ambulances.
'Deplorable''Deplorable'
The US condemned the attack. Special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke said: "It's not surprising that the Taliban do this sort of thing. They are desperate people, they are ruthless."The US condemned the attack. Special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke said: "It's not surprising that the Taliban do this sort of thing. They are desperate people, they are ruthless."
The US embassy in Kabul said the Taliban's disregard for Afghan lives was "deplorable".The US embassy in Kabul said the Taliban's disregard for Afghan lives was "deplorable".
RECENT KABUL ATTACKS 15 Dec 09: Six killed in suicide attack near hotel in Wazir Akbar Khan district24 Oct 09: Six UN staff and three Afghans killed in attack on UN guesthouse8 Oct 09: Suicide bomber attacks Indian embassy, killing at least 1717 Sept 09: Six Italian soldiers and 10 Afghans die in military convoy blast18 Aug 09: Suicide blast kills 10 in attack on convoy of Western troops11 Feb 09: Assault on three government buildings kills 27, including eight attackers In pictures: Kabul attackRECENT KABUL ATTACKS 15 Dec 09: Six killed in suicide attack near hotel in Wazir Akbar Khan district24 Oct 09: Six UN staff and three Afghans killed in attack on UN guesthouse8 Oct 09: Suicide bomber attacks Indian embassy, killing at least 1717 Sept 09: Six Italian soldiers and 10 Afghans die in military convoy blast18 Aug 09: Suicide blast kills 10 in attack on convoy of Western troops11 Feb 09: Assault on three government buildings kills 27, including eight attackers In pictures: Kabul attack
Taliban militants have launched a number of recent attacks on Kabul.Taliban militants have launched a number of recent attacks on Kabul.
In October, five UN staff were killed in a raid on a UN guesthouse. The Serena Hotel was also targeted in the attack.In October, five UN staff were killed in a raid on a UN guesthouse. The Serena Hotel was also targeted in the attack.
The BBC's Mark Dummett in Kabul says there will be huge concern that the militants have again broken through to the most protected part of the city, although security forces say they do prevent many other attacks.The BBC's Mark Dummett in Kabul says there will be huge concern that the militants have again broken through to the most protected part of the city, although security forces say they do prevent many other attacks.
Nato spokesman US Navy Lt Nico Melendez told the BBC innocent civilians had been the target of Monday's attack.Nato spokesman US Navy Lt Nico Melendez told the BBC innocent civilians had been the target of Monday's attack.
"We don't see a lot of attacks like this in Kabul. We do know that there are forces throughout the city providing protection for the innocent Afghan citizens and we're doing everything we can to help the Afghan police and the Afghan army."We don't see a lot of attacks like this in Kabul. We do know that there are forces throughout the city providing protection for the innocent Afghan citizens and we're doing everything we can to help the Afghan police and the Afghan army.
"You can't protect all the people, all the time, all the places.""You can't protect all the people, all the time, all the places."
Monday's attack comes amid continuing political uncertainty in Afghanistan.Monday's attack comes amid continuing political uncertainty in Afghanistan.
Some new members of Mr Karzai's cabinet were being sworn in at the time of the raid.Some new members of Mr Karzai's cabinet were being sworn in at the time of the raid.
Mr Sultanzoy told the BBC it was not a coincidence that the attack started at 1000 local time, "almost exactly the same time that part of the cabinet would have been sworn in only 100m away".Mr Sultanzoy told the BBC it was not a coincidence that the attack started at 1000 local time, "almost exactly the same time that part of the cabinet would have been sworn in only 100m away".
A large number of cabinet posts remain vacant.A large number of cabinet posts remain vacant.
Parliament has twice rejected many of Mr Karzai's nominations for a new cabinet, forcing the president to direct deputy ministers or other caretaker figures to run their ministries.Parliament has twice rejected many of Mr Karzai's nominations for a new cabinet, forcing the president to direct deputy ministers or other caretaker figures to run their ministries.
The uncertainty comes ahead of a key conference on Afghanistan in London later this month.The uncertainty comes ahead of a key conference on Afghanistan in London later this month.
Mr Karzai was re-elected last August in a vote marred by fraud.Mr Karzai was re-elected last August in a vote marred by fraud.
Since then, the US and Nato have launched an overhaul of Afghan policy, with a large number of additional troops pledged.Since then, the US and Nato have launched an overhaul of Afghan policy, with a large number of additional troops pledged.
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