23 October 2010 (UN News Centre, New York) - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council today strongly condemned the suicide attack on the United Nations compound in Afghanistan's western city of Herat, where members of staff of the UN mission in the country and other agencies are based.

There were no casualties among the UN staff, but some security guards were wounded, the spokesperson of the Secretary-General said in a statement. A number of assailants were killed in the attack, and the UN is conducting a full investigation.

Earlier the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also condemned the attack and stressed that the Organization was in the country to support efforts to restore peace and provide humanitarian and development assistance to the people.

The attack did not disrupt UN activities in Herat, UNAMA's spokesperson said.

Mr. Ban “wholeheartedly commends the immediate in extremis support rendered by units of the Afghan National Security Forces and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) whose prompt action stabilized the situation and undoubtedly saved the lives of United Nations staff members in the compound.”

The Secretary-General emphasized that the UN will continue to maintain its presence and programmes in Herat for the benefit of the population and in support of the Afghan authorities.

UNAMA also expressed its gratitude to the internal international security guards for their bravery and courage in responding to the attack.

“On behalf of all who serve the UN 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 UN personnel and thwarting this attack,” UNAMA said in its statement. The mission expressed sympathy for the security officers injured in the attack and their families.
Condemning that assault, the Security Council said it deeply regretted that a number of security guards were wounded and voiced its appreciation of the prompt support rendered by units of the Afghan security forces and ISAF during the attack.

“Members of the Council reiterate their steadfast support for the role of the United Nations in Afghanistan,” the Council said in a press statement.

The members noted that a number of assailants were killed in the attack, adding that they will be waiting to hear the results of the investigation that has already been launched.

“The members of the Security Council reiterated their serious concern at the threats posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other extremist groups, to the local population, national security forces, international military and international assistance efforts in Afghanistan,” they said.

The Council stressed the need to bring the perpetrators, organizers and financiers of the “reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice.” They urged all States to cooperate with the Afghan authorities to ensure that those behind the attack were caught.

Council members reaffirmed the need to combat, in accordance with the UN Charter and all obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. They Council reiterated its determination to combat all forms of terrorism.

They also stressed that that “no terrorist act can reverse the path towards peace, democracy and reconstruction in Afghanistan which is supported by the people and the Government of Afghanistan and the international community.”

According to media reports, a group of assailants dressed as local women in disguise attacked the compound minutes before midday, local time, sparking a fire fight with guards and the police during which the raiders were killed. One of the attackers in reported to have blown himself up with an explosive.