France strongly condemns Istanbul attack

 French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Saturday denounced the "heinous and cowardly" attack which rocked central Istanbul and left at least five deaths.

In a statement released by the Quai d'Orsay, Ayrault also expressed France's solidarity with Turkish authorities and people in their fight against terrorism.

Earlier on Saturday, an explosion hit Istanbul's bustling Istiklal Street, causing at least five deaths and wounded many others.

Turkey, a NATO member, has been the target of bloody attacks last months after Kurdish militants claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings in the capital Ankara.

A follower of terrorist cell Islamic State (IS) blew himself in Istanbul in January and killed dozens of foreign tourists, mainly Germans.

Source:WAM