Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Sunday strongly condemned the terrorist bombings in Turkey the day before.

 

The Chinese government condemned the violence, Wen said in a message to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while expressing sympathy and solicitude for the wounded people and families of the victims.

 

Wen emphasized that the Chinese government is firmly opposed to terrorism in any form and is willing to make unremitting efforts with international community to safeguard world peace and security.

 

Two blasts caused by explosive-laden vehicles went off near two synagogues in Istanbul during Sabbath prayers earlier on Saturday morning.

 

One occurred outside the Neve Shalom synagogue in the historic Beyoglu district in the heart of Istanbul, and the other went off close to another synagogue in the nearby neighborhood of Sisli.

 

At least 23 people were killed in the bombings. Some 300 people were injured and about 70 of them were hospitalized, said Erman Tuncer, head of the city's health department.

 

Israeli Ambassador to Turkey Pinchas Avivi said on Saturday the al-Qaida terror network was suspected of being involved in the attack, noting that the explosions seemed well organized.

Avivi stressed that this incident would not damage relations between Israel and Turkey.

(Xinhua News Agency  November 16, 2003)