UN, US condemn Lahore bombing

WASHINGTON - The United States and the United Nations have strongly condemned Wednesday's bombing in Lahore terming it as totally unacceptable. In a statement issued at the UN headquarters in New York, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said, "No cause can justify such indiscriminate terrorist violence". The statement, which was read out by the UN chief's spokesperson, added, "The Secretary General extends his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes those injured a speedy recovery". He also expressed his solidarity with the government and people of Pakistan. In Washington, State Department Spokesman Ian Kelly said, "Our deepest condolences go to the victims and their families. There is no political cause that justifies killing innocent people". He reiterated the resolve to continue to support the government of Pakistan in its efforts to combat terrorism, saying, "There is absolutely no justification at all for this kind of heinous act and indiscriminate murder of innocent citizens", he added. The spokesman said he was unaware of any US citizens getting injured in the incident, adding that the US consulate was functioning normally in the City. He said the consulate had also provided some emergency medical supplies for the victims.

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