Suicide attack on restaurant kills 21

A Taliban attack against a popular Kabul restaurant killed 21 people, officials said yesterday, in the deadliest attack against foreign civilians since the war began nearly 13 years ago.

The dead from Friday's assault against La Taverna du Liban included 13 foreigners and eight Afghans, all civilians, in an attack that could mark a pivot point for international organisations operating in Kabul. It came as security has been deteriorating and apprehension has been growing among Afghans over the future security of their country as United States-led foreign forces prepare for a final withdrawal at the end of the year.

Those killed included two US citizens working for the American University of Afghanistan, a victim identified by the United Nations as a Somali-American, two Britons - development specialist Dharmender Singh Phangura and close protection officer Simon Chase - two Canadians, two Lebanese, a Danish police officer, a Russian, a Malaysian and a Pakistani. Phangura, who along with the Malaysian worked as an adviser for Adam Smith International, was to run as a Labour Party candidate in upcoming elections for the European Parliament.

Also among the dead were the International Monetary Fund's Lebanese representative, Wabel Abdallah, and Vadim Nazarov, a Russian who was the chief political affairs officer at the UN Mission in Afghanistan. Nazarov was one of the UN's most experienced officials, fluent in the country's languages and with experience dating back to the 1980s. He was one of three UN victims.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was in reprisal for an Afghan military operation earlier in the week against insurgents in eastern Parwan province, which the insurgents claimed killed many civilians. The Taliban frequently provide exaggerated casualty figures.

"The target of the attack was a restaurant frequented by high-ranking foreigners," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in an emailed statement. He said the attack targeted a place "where the invaders used to dine with booze and liquor in the plenty."

He described the "revenge attack" as having delivered a "heavy admonitory blow to the enemy which they shall never forget."

- AP