ANKARA, June 29 (Xinhua) — Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned strongly the terror attack at Istanbul Ataturk Airport in a statement late on Tuesday, urging the world to take a firm stand against terrorism.
"This attack once again revealed the dark face of terrorist organizations targeting innocent civilians." Erdogan said in the written statement.
"It is obvious that this attack does not aim to attain any results but merely aims to produce propaganda material against our country by shedding the blood of and causing pain for innocent civilians." He added.
Erdogan stated that the attack, which took place during the holy month of Ramadan, shows that terrorism strikes with no regard for faith and values.
He appealed governments, parliaments, media and civil society organizations around the world to take a firm stand against terrorism.
Meanwhile, the Turkish president offered his condolences to the victims' families and Turkish nation in the terror attack.
The statement was issued after the meeting which President Erdogan chaired at the Presidential Complex, attended by Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar.
At least 36 were killed and more than 140 injured in the bombing attacks at Ataturk international airport on Tuesday night.
The security situation in Turkey has deteriorated over the past year, with Istanbul, the national capital of Ankara and other cities having already been hit by a number of bombing attacks.