Abdullah vows to move forward, despite assassination attempt

Hours after escaping an assassination attempt, Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah told supporters that no attack could stop the country's path to democracy.

(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ABDULLAH ABDULLAH, SAYING:

"The response to today's attack is going to the ballot boxes and we will continue our election campaigns as normal."

Two bombs blew up outside a hotel where he had just staged a rally.

Officials said the midday blasts destroyed a car in Abdullah's convoy.

The bombs killed six people and wounded 22.

Abdullah expressed sorrow for the dead.

(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ABDULLAH ABDULLAH, SAYING:

"The enemies of Afghanistan failed in their plot today, but unfortunately we have lost a number of our countrymen. Three of my companions and three of our countrymen were martyred in the attack. I express my sincere condolences to their families and may God rest their souls in peace."