The United Nations says at least five of its foreign staff have been killed in an attack on a guesthouse in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Another nine members of the UN team were injured as the attackers, armed with suicide vests, grenades and machine guns, stormed the building in the early hours of the morning.
Afghan police and soldiers cordoned off the area around the private guesthouse, which is used by the UN and other international organisations.
Officials said two members of the Afghan security forces and an Afghan civilian were also killed in the assault, which has been claimed by the Taliban.
More than two hours after the attack began, the three gunmen were shot dead by security forces.
Later in the day, rockets were fired at a five star hotel used by diplomats and foreign visitors to the capital.
Guests at the Serena Hotel were taken to a safe area in the basement as smoke filled the lobby, but no-one was reported to have been injured.
The attacks come as Afghanistan prepares for a presidential election run-off - officials said the Taliban had threatened to disrupt the polls.
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