Presidential Palace, Kabul – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is saddened by the news of an earthquake yesterday striking Indonesia's west coast and killing undreds of people. First reports show that the epicenter of the earthquake was on the Sumatra island of Nias.

"I am saddened to hear that this region was struck by an earthquake, especially after the tragedy of last December's Tsunami. I pray for the well-being of the Indonesian people and I hope that such tragedies will not occur again in the future.

On behalf of the Afghan people, I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of Indonesia", the President said in his reaction to the news.