2 November 2009 - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met UN staff in Kabul today to express his solidarity following the attack on a guesthouse which killed five UN colleagues.

Mr Ban also extended his support and appreciation to the staff of the United Nations in Afghanistan and members of the international community.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest admiration, my solidarity as Secretary-General of the United Nations,” Mr Ban said.

“You are the real face of the United Nations,” he added.

“The United Nations has been working and will continue to work for the words and ideas of the United Nations Charter and for the mandate we have being given by the member states. We must not be, we can not be deterred by this heinous terrorist attack,” Mr Ban said.

On Wednesday last week a guesthouse used by UN staff in Kabul was attacked by suicide bombers.

The attackers killed five UN staff members and injured up to nine others.

“We will take necessary measures. The safety and security of our staff and premises is of paramount importance,” he said. “This time we need concrete logistic and financial support.”

On Thursday, the Secretary-General asked the president of the Security Council to convene an urgent session.

He also reported to members of the Security Council about the bravery and courage of all UN staff in Afghanistan.

Mr Ban said that primary responsibility for the security of the UN rests with the Government of Afghanistan, Afghan National Police, Afghan national security institutions and the support from the international community.

Mr Ban expressed his deepest admiration to the leadership of his Special Representative Kai Eide, and the heads of UN agencies in Afghanistan.

In addition, he extended his appreciation to Afghan UN staff, volunteer workers, members of non governmental organizations, humanitarian workers, and members of the international community for working together closely with the UN.

By Kangying Guo, UNAMA