UPDATE - UN condemns Istanbul terror attack

ADDS US REACTION

NEW YORK (AA) – The United Nations on Tuesday strongly condemned a deadly terror attack in Istanbul that killed 11 victims, including seven police officers, and injured 36 people.

A statement issued by the office of the Secretary General said it was a “despicable terrorist attack”, and expressed hope that the perpetrators would be swiftly identified and brought to justice.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon “extends his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes those injured a speedy recovery,” the statement said.

It added that the UN “stands in solidarity with the people and government of Turkey at this difficult time.”

The U.S. State Department also condemned the attack and offered condolences.

"The U.S. reaffirms our strong commitment to work with Turkey, a NATO ally and a valuable member of the counter Daesh coalition, to combat the shared threat of terrorism," spokesman Mark Toner said during a press briefing.

Istanbul Gov. Vasip Sahin said the attack occurred at 8.40 a.m. local time (0540GMT) when a car bomb detonated near a riot police vehicle in Beyazit's Vezneciler area on the city's European side.