KABUL, October 28, SPA - Gunmen with automatic weapons and suicide vests stormed a guest house used by U.N. staff in the heart of the Afghan capital early Wednesday, killing 12 people - including six U.N. staff - officials said. A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility, saying it was meant as an assault on the upcoming presidential election. Later, a rocket struck the "outer limit" of the presidential palace but caused no casualties, presidential spokesman Humayun Hamidzada said. Another slammed into the grounds of the luxury Serena Hotel, which is favored by many foreigners. The device failed to explode but filled the lobby with smoke, forcing guests and employees to flee to the basement, according to an Afghan witness who asked that his name not be used for security reasons, according to a report of The Associated Press. President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack as "an inhuman act" and called on the army and police to strengthen security around all international institutions.--SPA --SPA 10:45 LOCAL TIME 07:45 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/713463