By KUNA
Oslo : Norway condemned the attack that targeted its foreign minister and diplomats in Kabul Monday night, in which seven people were killed, including an American and a Norwegian journalist.
Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said the attack was a clear terrorist message against his country’s role in international peace efforts in Afghanistan.
He stressed that Norway’s military and civilian presence in Afghanistan was a natural response to the desire of Norway’s people to support Afghans and help them achieve peace and development.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Stoere was not hurt in the Taliban attack at the five-star Serena Hotel in Kabul Monday night.
Stoere, who was staying at the hotel, announced he and his accompanying diplomatic delegation were the target of the attack.
He said he was in a meeting when he heard bullet shots and a loud explosion, adding that his delegation and himself were sheltered in a secure room away from the attackers.
Meanwhile, Kabul police chief Salim Ehsaas told journalists a suicide bomber blew himself at the entrance of the hotel to open way for gunmen armed with automatic rifles.
Monday’s attack was the first on the hotel that opened only about two years ago and is located close to the tightly-guarded Presidential Palace.
Claiming responsibility, Taliban Spokesman Zabeehullah Mujahid said the attack, the first of its type in Taliban tactics to destabilize President Karzai’s government and press the foreign troops to leave the country, was carried out by a suicide bomber and four gunmen.
The gunmen safely escaped the scene after the shoot out, he added.
Afghan intelligence and police officials would not say if any of the attackers were killed, injured or captured in exchange of fire.
The area was soon surrounded by foreign and Afghan troops and the routes passing in front and on the sides of the luxury hotel were closed for traffic as well as pedestrians.
Journalists were also not allowed to get inside the hotel or close to the scene of the blast.
Meanwhile, Norway’s press said Tuesday that the Norwegian Foreign Ministry had received through the internet threats of terrorist attacks before Stoere’s visit to Pakistan and Afghanistan.