New York  - United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned Wednesday the attacks that killed at least 26 people in the Afghan capital of Kabul, calling the incident a heinous crime against innocent people.

"This horrendous crime against civilians is a total disrespect of human rights," Ban said in a statement. "The UN stands shoulder-to- shoulder with the Afghan people and government to condemn today's attacks."

A suicide bomber and other attackers first targeted the Justice Ministry situated in the centre of Kabul and the prison authority and education ministry were also attacked.

The UN special envoy for Afghanistan, Kai Eide, said the attackers targeted people and institutions "committed to building a better future for the country."

"The civil servants that were killed and wounded were serving the people of Afghanistan," Eide said from Kabul. "Other civilians have also lost their lives. My thoughts are with their families." (dpa)