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.