U.N.'s Ban condemns Pakistan bombing, urges unity

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned a bombing aimed at former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto that killed 115 people in Karachi on Friday, and called on the country's politicians to close ranks.

"The Secretary-General is shocked to hear" about the attack, which left Bhutto herself unhurt, said a statement issued by Ban's spokeswoman, Michele Montas.

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns this terrorist attack and expresses condolences to the families of the victims," it said. "He trusts that all political forces will act together to strengthen national unity."

The apparent suicide bombing targeted a motorcade carrying Bhutto through Karachi on her return from eight years in exile.