UNITED NATIONS, June 4 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday condemned a suicide attack in the Afghan capital of Kabul that targeted religious scholars, who had gathered from across the country to promote peace.

"The secretary-general reiterates that no cause can justify such violence. Targeting civilians in this way is a clear violation of international law, including international human rights law," said Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

The secretary-general extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, the spokesman said in a statement.

The United Nations stands with the people and government of Afghanistan as they endeavor to build a peaceful future for their country, it said.

A suicide bomber on Monday detonated explosives at one of the entrances of a compound where the religious scholars were meeting. Eight people were killed and nine others were wounded, according to Kabul police.