GMA News Online News » World

KABUL - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Saturday pulled all its staff out of Afghan government ministries after two of its advisors were shot and killed within the interior ministry, the force commander said.

 

"For obvious force protection reasons, I have ...taken immediate measures to recall all other ISAF personnel working in ministries in and around Kabul," said General John Allen, commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force.

 

"I condemn today's attack at the Afghan Ministry of Interior that killed two of our coalition officers, and my thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the brave individuals lost today," Allen said in a statement.

 

"We are investigating the crime and will pursue all leads to find the person responsible for this attack. The perpetrator of this attack is a coward whose actions will not go unanswered.

 

"We are committed to our partnership with the Government of Afghanistan to reach our common goal of a peaceful, stable and secure Afghanistan in the near future."

 

Taliban insurgents claimed responsibility for the shooting, saying it was carried out in revenge for the burning of Korans at a US-run military base.

 

The shooting came on a fifth day of violent anti-US protests across Afghanistan over the incident, which forced US President Barrack Obama to issue an apology to the Afghan people. — Agence France Presse