The British government has condemned the assassination of Afghan rebel leader Ahmad Shah Masood, calling his murder an act of terrorism.
A spokesman for the British Foreign Office said today (Saturday) that Mr. Masood's death underlined the need for a comprehensive approach for restoring peace to Afghanistan.
Mr. Masood, 48, died earlier today (Saturday) from injuries he received during a suicide attack while being interviewed last Sunday at his headquarters in northern Afghanistan by two men posing as Arab journalists.
The rebel leader's death is seen as a severe blow to the Northern Alliance, a grouping of armed opposition groups battling Afghanistan's ruling Taleban militia.