KABUL - The United Nations in Afghanistan condemns in the strongest terms the attack which took place today at 11:58 a.m. against the United Nations operations centre in Herat, in the west of Afghanistan. The attack did not disrupt the United Nations activities and no United Nations personnel was injured.

Dari - Pashto

The United Nations is in Afghanistan to support efforts to achieve peace, to assist the people of Afghanistan with urgent humanitarian aid and to support long-term development to help make the lives of all Afghan people better.

We commend and are grateful to the internal international security guards for their bravery and courage in initially responding to this attack. On behalf of all who serve the United Nations in Afghanistan, we further thank the Afghan National Police Force, the Afghan security forces and government authorities, as well as the International Security Assistance Force, for their assistance in protecting United Nations personnel and thwarting this attack.

Our thoughts are with the families of the at least two Afghan security officers who were injured during this attack.

The United Nations will continue to maintain its presence and programmes in Herat for the benefit of the population in need and in support of the Afghan authorities.