Bomb explodes at the British consulate in Istanbul

A bomb exploded outside the British consulate in Istanbul today. A Foreign Office spokesman said the device was hurled at the building housing the visa section at 12.30am local time.

The spokesman said: "The building was empty at the time. Police attended, the area has been cordoned off and they are investigating. It is too early to speculate on the motive."

The explosion shattered some windows and damaged a gate and walls of the building in the Beyoglu district.

Anti-British and American sentiment runs high in Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country, because of coalition attacks on bordering Iraq.

Anti-war demonstrators have staged several protests in Istanbul and other major Turkish cities in recent weeks, prompting British diplomatic missions to step up security.

More than 90 per cent of Turks are against the war in Iraq and images of civilian casualties being repeatedly broadcast on Turkish television stations are fuelling anger against American and British administrations.