United nations, April 02: The Security Council late Friday condemned “in the strongest terms” the “violent” attack against the UN Operations Center in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, earlier in the day, resulting in a number of casualties.
In a statement to reporters, Council President Nestor Osorio of Colombia said the members of the Security Council condemned “all incitement to and acts of violence.” They called on the Government of Afghanistan to bring those responsible to justice and to take all possible steps to protect UN personnel and premises.
The Council members reaffirmed their support for the Afghan people and Government, for the crucial work that the United Nations is doing in partnership with the Government for the benefit of all Afghans; and the Council’s commitment to a secure and stable Afghanistan. Following the Council’s emergency session to discuss the issue, Undersecretary-General for Peace-keeping Operations Alain Le Roy told reporters he briefed the members on the “tragic events” that happened earlier Friday in Mazar-i-Sharif.
He explained that part of the protesters demonstrating in the streets stormed the UN compound and set it on fire, killing seven international staff, three civilians and four international security guards. Many more were injured and some of the attackers were killed too, he added. He confirmed that the demonstration, taking place in Mazar-i-Sharif and other places in Afghanistan, was to protest the recent Quran burning by a Priest in a Florida Church.
“It is clear that the demonstration was to complain about the Quran burning, yes,” he said in answer to a question.
—Agencies