We have learned with sadness that 7 persons including civilians lost their lives and 18 persons were wounded in Kabul as a result of a suicide attack perpetrated against a military service bus carrying Afghan army personnel on 13 December, and that 20 persons were killed this morning in another suicide attack which aimed at a group of de-mining workers in Helmand province.

We strongly condemn these attacks. We wish God’s mercy on those who lost their lives, convey our condolences to their relatives and the people of Afghanistan and wish speedy recovery to the wounded.

We believe that despite the efforts to drag the country again into chaos by creating a spiral of violence, the achievements of the last 13 years will be preserved and strengthened in Afghanistan and an environment of stability will be established throughout the country to the benefit of each and every individual of brotherly Afghan nation.