UN honours Pakistani staffer and her colleagues killed in Kabul bombing

United Nations flew its flags at half-mast in honour of four staff members, including a Pakistani, who were killed in Friday's terrorist attack in Kabul, with UN chief And other officials pledging to continue working in active support of Afghans.

"As the United Nations mourns this terrorist attack and its victims, we remain committed to work for the peace, stability and development of Afghanistan," Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a message delivered by his special representative Jan Kubis in Afghanistan.

"We fully support the transition of Afghanistan toward a better future in peace, development and security." Dr. Nasreen Khan of Pakistan, Vadim Nazarov of Russia, Basra Hassan of the United States and Wabel Abdallah of Lebanon were among the more than 20 people killed in an attack on a popular Lebanese restaurant, La Taverna du Liban. "Vadim, Nasreen, Basra and Wabel represented the highest ideals of our Organization," Kubis, the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said at a memorial meeting at the main UN compound in Kabul.

"Today, the United Nations family stands with you in grief and solidarity. Our thoughts and full support are with you, and with the families," he added.

UNICEF 's Country Representative, Akhil Iyer, said that Dr. Nasreen Khan was a highly experienced and respected specialist in reproductive health, and in public health in general, "with a passion for saving the lives of new born children and pregnant mothers."

The entrance to the restaurant has since been covered in daffodils and roses, according to media reports, and placards reading "We Stand Against Terrorism and Peace is What We Want by local residents." The Taliban have taken responsibility for the attack, which has been condemned by the secretary-general and a host of UN officials, as well as the 15-member UN Security Council.

The UN has also reiterated that the deliberate targeting of civilians is a gross violation of international humanitarian law, and urged a stop to the violence throughout the country.