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Suicide bomb attack on Kabul restaurant 'kills 13'
At least 13 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on a restaurant popular with foreigners in the Afghan capital, police say.
Foreigners and Afghan are among the dead caused by the blast outside the Taverna du Liban in Kabul's Wazir Akbar Khan neighbourhood.
The area is home to a number of foreign embassies and organisations.
The attack happened on a Friday evening when the restaurant would have been busy with diners.
The Taliban has claimed responsibility, saying it had been deliberately targeting foreign officials.
Witnesses said a single loud blast was heard followed by about 20 minutes of gunfire.
Security forces were quickly on the scene, and the area was cordoned off.
Deputy Interior Minister Ayoub Salangi earlier said the suicide bomber died in the attack and two other men were shot and killed close to the restaurant.
"There were a number of people wounded, including drivers and people waiting outside and in neighbouring houses," he added.
The last remaining contingent of Nato forces are due to leave Afghanistan by the end of the year, having handed over security to Afghan forces.
Washington is pushing Afghan President Hamid Karzai to sign an agreement that would allow some US troops to stay behind this year's withdrawal.
The Taliban told the BBC's John Simpson earlier this week that it was now back in control of large areas of Afghanistan and would soon return to power.
Our correspondent says it is hard to believe the Taliban could make a comeback as things stand, but their takeover of Kabul in 1996 was unexpected, and they could be strengthened if a weak, corrupt president is elected in April.
At least 13 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on a restaurant popular with foreigners in the Afghan capital, police say.
Foreigners and Afghan are among the dead caused by the blast outside the Taverna du Liban in Kabul's Wazir Akbar Khan neighbourhood.
The area is home to a number of foreign embassies and organisations.
The attack happened on a Friday evening when the restaurant would have been busy with diners.
The Taliban has claimed responsibility, saying it had been deliberately targeting foreign officials.
Witnesses said a single loud blast was heard followed by about 20 minutes of gunfire.
Security forces were quickly on the scene, and the area was cordoned off.
Deputy Interior Minister Ayoub Salangi earlier said the suicide bomber died in the attack and two other men were shot and killed close to the restaurant.
"There were a number of people wounded, including drivers and people waiting outside and in neighbouring houses," he added.
The last remaining contingent of Nato forces are due to leave Afghanistan by the end of the year, having handed over security to Afghan forces.
Washington is pushing Afghan President Hamid Karzai to sign an agreement that would allow some US troops to stay behind this year's withdrawal.
The Taliban told the BBC's John Simpson earlier this week that it was now back in control of large areas of Afghanistan and would soon return to power.
Our correspondent says it is hard to believe the Taliban could make a comeback as things stand, but their takeover of Kabul in 1996 was unexpected, and they could be strengthened if a weak, corrupt president is elected in April.