UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday condemned the killing of Somalia's Deputy State Attorney, expressing deep concern about the recent attacks targeting the judicial officials and the legal system "as a whole."

Gunmen armed with pistols Thursday evening killed the deputy Attorney General of the Somali government, Ahmed Malim Sheikh Nur in the capital city of Mogadishu, according to reports.

"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned that recent attacks in Mogadishu appear to target the judicial officials and the legal system as a whole," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesperson. "He remains confident that such criminal acts will not undermine efforts to strengthen the rule of law in the country."

Ban expressed his sincere condolences to Nur's family and reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to support and assist the federal government of Somalia, its institutions and the Somali people, the statement said.