Radio Free Europe - The incoming United Nations special representative to Afghanistan has appealed to militants to leave children alone, after a spate of attacks blamed on the Taliban targeted teachers and schools.

Speaking today at a news conference in Kabul, Tom Koenigs said the attacks amounted to a "denial of the human rights to education" for Afghan children.

Dozens of schools have been targeted by arsonists since U.S.-led forces ousted the Taliban regime in 2001. Many other schools are closed due to poor security.

The Taliban say educating girls is against Islam. They also oppose government-funded schools for boys because they teach subjects besides religion.

In more violence today, police say gunmen killed Mohammed Zarin, the chief of a district administration in the southern Helmand Province.