UN chief slams attack on voter registration centre in Khost

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned Sunday’s attack on a mosque being used as a voter registration centre in the Afghan city of khost, and underscored his support to the country as it prepares for elections later this year. “The Secretary-General extends his solidarity to Afghan citizens seeking to exercise their constitutional rights and take part in the forthcoming parliamentary elections,” a statement issued by his spokesman said. In the statement, Guterres also extended his condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. According to reports at least 17 people were killed and 37 were wounded in the attack, which took place Sunday afternoon. There have been a number of attacks on voter registration centres as Afghanistan prepares to hold parliamentary elections in October. On 22 April, a suicide attack struck a voter registration centre in Kabul, killing at least 30 people.APP/ift