The Security Council issued a press statement in the wake of the attack, with its 15 members condemning "all incitement to and acts of violence" and expressing their deep condolences to the families of the victims.

Afghans carry a man who was wounded following an attack on an United Nations compound, during a demonstration to condemn the burning of a copy of the Muslim holy book by a U.S. pastor, in Mazar-i- Sharif April 1, 2011. [Xinhua]

The Council called on Afghan authorities to take"all possible steps" to protect UN personnel and premises, and to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice, according to the statement, read out by Ambassador Nestor Osorio of Colombia, which holds the rotating monthly presidency.

Mr. McNorton told the UN News Centre that the attack would not deter UNAMA from carrying out its work.

"We remain committed to supporting the Afghan people and to ensuring that they are able to obtain a better life. We remain committed to the cause of peace," he said.

Mr. McNorton said the brutal nature of the attack was nevertheless being felt across the UN community in Afghanistan, where UNAMA and many UN agencies operate.

Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and the head of UNAMA, has arrived in Mazar-i-Sharif to lead a team that is investigating the attack and assessing the situation.

A senior team from UN Headquarters, including Mr. Ban's Chef de Cabinet Vijay Nambiar and Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security Gregory Starr, is also on its way to the country to review the security situation.

Wounded staff have been evacuated from Mazar-i-Sharif, but Mr. Le Roy stressed that the UN would continue to have a presence in the city.