German Foreign Minister Frank- Walter Steinmeier on Thursday condemned the terrorist attack on the Afghan Information and Culture Ministry in Kabul.
"I am shocked and appalled by today's attack on the Afghan Information Ministry that has cost so many people their lives. The German Government condemns this cowardly act in the strongest possible terms," said Steinmeier in a written statement. "We share the grief and shock felt by the Afghan Government and the whole nation. Our thoughts are with the friends and loved ones of those who have perished. To all who have been injured we wish a full and speedy recovery," he said.
The minister noted that the "callous attack" demonstrates that the terrorists' aim is to" undermine the Afghan state and sow fear and distrust among the population."
"They must not be allowed to succeed", he stressed.
"Together with the Afghan Government and our international partners we will continue to work intensively to create the secure environment Afghanistan needs to advance its reconstruction and development agenda," he said.
Earlier on Thursday morning, a suicide bombing rocked Afghan Ministry of Information and Culture in Kabul, leaving five people dead and 15 more injured.