LYON, France – INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble today strongly condemned the ‘cowardly and despicable’ actions by suspected Taliban militants who claimed responsibility for the terrorist attacks that left at least four confirmed United Nations employees dead and up to nine wounded in an attack in Kabul on a guesthouse used by the UN.

Two Afghan security personnel and a civilian were also reported to have been killed in the attack.

"INTERPOL condemns this attack in the strongest possible terms," said Secretary General Noble.

"While this type of cowardly and despicable act against dedicated civilian workers aims to undermine the essential work carried out by the United Nations and to weaken the rule of law, it only strengthens our resolve to work together with the Afghan people and the entire international community to reconstruct a war-torn country and to bring security to all its citizens."

"On behalf of the world police community, INTERPOL expresses its full solidarity with the UN at this difficult time. Our thoughts and condolences are with the families of the UN staff, security personnel and civilian who died in the attack,'" said Mr Noble.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack in phone conversations with several media. It said the operation was carried out by three Taliban attackers, equipped with explosives and automatic weapons. The attack on the guesthouse was one of three separate attacks in Kabul.