“I am deeply shocked at the news of the violent attack on the UNAMA office in Mazar-e-Sharif.
According to our information, at least six members of the UN staff died and several others were injured.
We mourn the dead, and our thoughts are with their relatives. They have paid the highest price for the mission in Afghanistan.
On behalf of the Federal Government, I extend my sincere condolences to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The United Nations stands for the global community. Under no circumstances may its staff or premises be subject to violence.
The trigger for the violence on this occasion appears to be the burning of a copy of the Koran. The Federal Government – like the United Nations, the European Union, NATO and all our partners – is firmly opposed to the desecration of religious symbols.”