UN Secretary-General conveys his condolences

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon contacted Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on Saturday 2 April to express his condolences in connection with the killing of the Norwegian officer in Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan the day before. 

“The Secretary-General reiterated his strong condemnation of yesterday’s brutal attack on the UN compound in Mazar-e-Sharif. On behalf of the UN, he expressed his condolences on the death of Lieutenant Colonel Siri Skare. He acknowledged her untiring efforts in the service of the UN and the future of Afghanistan and said she had been an invaluable resource for the UN compound in Mazar-e-Sharif,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.  

Mr Ban said that he had been in contact with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who promised to launch an all-out probe into the incident and bring those responsible to justice. The Secretary-General had also stressed to President Karzai that the Afghan authorities were responsible for the protection of UN personnel in Afghanistan. 

“When I spoke with Mr Ban, I stressed how seriously Norway regards this assault on the UN presence in Afghanistan and said that every effort must be made to prevent such an incident occurring again. At the same time it is important the international community now stands united in its efforts to help the Afghan people,” said Mr Støre