ISLAMABAD, JULY 17, SPA -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the terrorist attacks against Pakistani security forces over the weekend, and backed President Pervez Musharraf s efforts to stamp out extremism. "I am especially concerned about the situation in Pakistan and the loss of life and destruction of property there over the past week," he said in New York, according to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). Pakistan's U.N. Ambassador Munir Akram briefed the secretary-general on the situation in Pakistan. "I condemn the terrorist attacks over the weekend that have claimed the lives of a large number of security forces and innocent civilians," the top UN diplomat said. "President Musharraf has taken a strong stand against extremism. While I am in favour of firm action against extremism, I am conscious that the government faces a delicate balance in ensuring the safety of its citizens," he added.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/468140