The United Nations has said it will remain in Afghanistan despite the death of six of its workers in an attack on an international guesthouse in Kabul this morning.
At least three Afghans also died, including two members of the security forces.
The three attackers were killed in a fierce gun-battle.
The Head of the UN mission in Afghanistan, Kai Eide, said the organisation would be reviewing its security measures.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: 'I condemn this shocking and shameless act and the terrorists who committed this crime. It is unjustifiable by any standards.
'We will never be deterred by these terrorist attacks. We will continue our work, particularly in helping the Afghan government and people carrying out the second presidential election.'
Afghan forces exchanged gunfire for hours with militants inside the house. The attackers reportedly wore police uniforms to secure entry into the house.
Abdul Ghaim, a policeman at the scene, told Reuters: 'We think they (the militants) are Pakistani.'
Explosions also hit the foreign-owned Serena luxury hotel and rockets were fired at the building near the presidential palace, witnesses and security sources said.
A guest staying at the hotel said more than 100 people were rushed to an underground bunker following the attacks but no casualties or smoke could be seen from the building, which was also attacked in January 2008 when six people were killed.
The entire area at the Serena has been blocked by security forces and all streets leading to key government buildings have been cordoned off.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has ordered an immediate and urgent upgrade of security for international organisations after today's attack.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has also condemned the attack, saying the US was committed to ensuring Afghanistan can hold next week's run-off election.
