Gunfire, explosions, rock Kabul

AFGHANISTAN : The Afghan capital Kabul came under coordinated attack Sunday, with explosions and gunfire rocking the diplomatic enclave as militants took over a hotel and tried to enter parliament.

Taliban insurgents claimed the attacks.

Witnesses said suicide bombers had taken over the newly-built Kabul Star hotel, which was reportedly on fire in an area which includes a major US military base, the United Nations office and the presidential palace.

The area was sealed off by security forces.

Several other attackers tried to enter the Afghan parliament but were engaged by security forces and driven back, an official said.

They had taken cover in a building near the parliament and fighting was ongoing, parliamentary media officer Qudratullah Jawid told AFP.

Gunfire and explosions were reported from at least three areas of the capital, including the diplomatic enclave.

As the attacks began, several large explosions and bursts of gunfire were heard near the United States embassy.

AFP