4 UN personnel, IMF official killed in Kabul restaurant attackJanuary 18, 2014 - 09:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said four United Nations personnel have been killed in the "horrific attack" on a Kabul restaurant, the Associated Press reports. A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a Kabul restaurant filled with foreigners and affluent Afghans having dinner Friday, Jan 17 night, while two gunmen sneaked in through the back door and opened fire, kliing 21. The UN chief condemned the attack "in the strongest terms," saying "such targeted attacks against civilians are completely unacceptable and are in flagrant breach of international humanitarian law," UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said. Ban said the UN personnel, who were not identified, were among at least 14 foreigners and Afghans killed, including a number of people from other international organizations. Kabul police say 16 people were killed. Ban demanded an immediate end to the attacks. According to BBC News, Wabel Abdallah, the head of the IMF's Afghanistan office, was also killed in the attack. The other victims were Afghans, Canadians, Lebansese and a Briton. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |