Turkey and Britain unite to fight terrorists

The UK and Turkish Foreign Ministers have united in their pledge not to give in to terrorists following the attacks on British interests in Turkey.

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, backed by British Foreign Minister Jack Straw, said that the bombings would only reinforce global resolve to fight terrorism.

Turkish authorities are reported to have made a number of arrests following the attacks, but Mr Gul told reporters that no further details were available.

This morning news agency Reuters reported that a unit of al-Qaeda, the Abu Hafz al-Masri Brigades, the same militant Islamic group responsible for two bombings in Turkey last weekend, had claimed the two suicide car bombings in Istanbul.

The claim published on an Arabic website specifically mentioned targeting the "British Consul Roger Short" due to his "experience in combating Islam".

Career diplomat, 58-year-old Roger Short, the British Consul General, was one of the victims of the car bomb blast that demolished the British Consulate in Istanbul. A second blast damaged the office of the HSBC bank. In all 27 people are know to have been killed in the blasts and over 400 were injured.

Last night the Foreign Office extended its Travel Advice against all but the most essential travel for Istanbul to include other major cities in Turkey, until the situation is further clarified.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: "We advise against all but the most essential travel to Istanbul and other major cities, until the situation becomes clearer. Until further notice, the British Consulate in Istanbul will not be able to provide the full range of services.

"There is a high threat from terrorism in Turkey. There have been a number of recent terrorist incidents, including major terrorist attacks in Istanbul on 15 and 20 November. We urge you to be vigilant in all parts of the country, and especially in the vicinity of potential terrorist targets."

The Foreign Office has set up an emergency contact number on 0207 008 0000 for anyone concerned about relatives who may have been caught up in the bombings in Istanbul.

(SP)