PM condemns "vicious and cowardly" Afghanistan attack
Friday 19 August 2011
Prime Minister David Cameron has condemned the "vicious and cowardly" attack on the British Council compound in Kabul.
External site: Foreign Office Minister condemns Kabul attack
External site: UK effort in Afghanistan
External site: British Council Afghanistan
Mr Cameron confirmed that all British Council staff are now safe but said there had been a “tragic loss of life” among the Afghan police and others involved.
The PM said he had spoken to the New Zealand Prime Minister today to thank him for the role the country’s special forces had played in defending the compound.
Mr Cameron also stressed that the attack would not halt the “vital work” being carried out in Afghanistan.
“This is a particularly vicious and cowardly attack but it’s an attack that hasn’t succeeded.
“It will not stop the British Council and indeed our whole effort in Afghanistan to bring stability and peace to that country.”
Earlier today, Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt condemned the “despicable” attack and said it ”would not lessen the UK’s resolve to support the Afghan people”.
And Martin Davidson, chief executive of the British Council, said the attack on its Kabul office “must not and will not” prevent it from giving young Afghans the support they need.