NEWYORK - I am deeply shocked by the death of Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani, former President of Afghanistan and Chairman of the High Peace Council in a bomb attack at his house in Kabul. I am saddened to hear that Minister Masoom Stanekzai, Head of the Joint Secretariat, has been injured, and other civilians have also been killed or injured.

I condemn in the strongest possible terms this attack on people who were working to bring peace in Afghanistan. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wounded.

I would like to reiterate that the United Nations remains committed to supporting Afghanistan and its people in attaining peace and stability and to working in close cooperation with them.

New York
20 September 2011