UN Slams "heinous" Suicide Attack On Kabul's Education Centre

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned "in the strongest terms" Wednesday's suicide bombing that killed students at an education centre in Kabul, and called on Afghan authorities to bring the perpetrator to just Nearly 50 people were killed in the attack and most were teenagers studying for university entrance exams.

UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Aug, 2018 ) :UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned "in the strongest terms" Wednesday's suicide bombing that killed students at an education centre in Kabul, and called on Afghan authorities to bring the perpetrator to just Nearly 50 people were killed in the attack and most were teenagers studying for university entrance exams.

"Those responsible for this heinous attack must be held accountable. The targeting of civilians, in particular children, is unacceptable," the secretary-general said in a statement issued by his spokesman, Stephane Guterres.

The UN Security Council has joined Guterres in expressing sympathy to the families of the victims of what they described as "the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack." The 15-member Council reaffirmed that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of motivation.

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General is also urging warring parties in Afghanistan to step up efforts towards achieving peace following deadly fighting in the Afghan city of Ghazni.

Guterres conveyed his condolences to families who have suffered from attacks by the Taliban, which launched an assault on the eastern city on Friday.

At least 400 people have been killed in the siege, around a quarter of them civilians, according to media reports. The UN chief stated that the targeting of civilians and of civilian facilities are clear violations of international humanitarian law.

He stressed the "urgent need" for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of talks between the sides to negotiate a sustainable peace.

"The warring parties must do everything feasible to ensure that no civilians are further killed or injured by the fighting, and must allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance so that it can reach Ghazni," he added, according to a statement issued late on Wednesday by his spokesman.

The Secretary-General also underlined that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, and called for a peaceful settlement to the fighting "in the interest of building a more stable and prosperous future for all Afghans."