analysts said was a global campaign of terror aimed at the United States and its allies, such as Britain and Turkey.
Eye-witnesses said bomb laden trucks slammed into the British Consulate and a branch of the London-based HSBC Bank.
Shards of shattered glass and jagged pieces of metal could be seen strewn for hundreds of metres – scenes similar to those of Saturday’s synagogue attacks, reporters saw.
"We see their contempt, their utter contempt for innocent life," said President George W. Bush in London about the terrorists who carried out the attacks, amid reports that Al Qaida was likely responsible.
"HATE FREE NATIONS"
"They hate freedom. They hate free nations. Today, once again we saw their ambitions of murder," Bush stressed.
However "once again we must affirm that in the face of this terrorism there must be no holding back, no compromise, no hesitation in confronting this menace, in attacking it wherever and whenever we can, and in defeating it utterly," added Prime Minister Tony Blair.
President Bush said the United States and Britain are joined in grief and determination. He said in Istanbul, the true nature of the terrorist enemy has become evident once again.
CHRISTIANS
The latest attacks also come amid reports that Jewish and Christian communities are targeted in Turkey and Iraq. The spiritual leader of the 77-million-strong Anglican Communion, the archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, reflected those views two days earlier when visiting the site of one of the two the synagogues that were bombed over the weekend.
He called it "an attack on every Muslim, Jew and Christian," and described it as "a heartbreaking sight in a place where the relationship between Muslims, Jews and Christians is one of cooperation and goodwill."
As rescue workers continued to find injured and death people, police stepped up security in Istanbul, with roads leading to the American and British Embassies reportedly sealed off from traffic.
ALLIES
Predominantly Muslim Turkey is counted among Washington’s strongest regional allies. It is the sole mainly Muslim member of the NATO military alliance. Turkey is also Israel’s closest friend in the region.
Western diplomats expressed concerns that Turkey’s multi-billion-dollar tourism industry would be hurt by the wave of terrorist attacks.
Predominantly Muslim Turkey is counted among Washington’s strongest regional allies. It is the sole mainly Muslim member of the NATO military alliance. Turkey is also Israel’s closest friend in the region, commented The Voice of America (VOA).
