Brussels Airport
Brussels AirportReuters

The United Nations on Tuesday strongly condemned the terrorist bombings in Brussels, extending condolences to the victims and their families while expressing solidarity with the people and Government of Belgium.

The 15-member body stressed in a statement posted to the UN website the need to intensify regional and international efforts to overcome terrorism and violent extremism, while reaffirming that “terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.”

Earlier Tuesaday, a statement issued by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's spokesperson said “the despicable attacks today struck at the heart of Belgium and the center of the European Union.”

“The Secretary-General hopes those responsible will be swiftly brought to justice. He is confident that Belgium's and Europe's commitment to human rights, democracy and peaceful coexistence will continue to be the true and lasting response to the hatred and violence of which they became a victim today,” Ban's statement added.

Also reacting to the Brussels attacks, the President of the UN General Assembly, Mogens Lykketoft, said he is “horrified.”

“We have in the last week seen atrocities in Turkey, Ivory Coast and now in Belgium. It must be condemned in the strongest terms,” Lykketoft said in a statement on the UN website.

“Acts of terrorism are unjustifiable regardless of their motivation and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes on of the most serious threats to international peace and security. Acts of terrorism have no place in the modern world and only serve to strengthen the resolve of governments the world over to find and prosecute the individuals responsible,” he added.

At least 34 people were killed and at least 150 wounded in the two blasts at the Zaventem airport and the Maalbeek metro station in Brussels.

Following the attacks, the Belgian Interior Minister raised the country's terror threat indicator to its highest level.

The bombings come just four days after the arrest of Salah Abdeslam in Belgium. Abdeslam is believed to have played a key role in organizing last year's Paris terror attacks.

The Islamic State (ISIS) jihadist group claimed responsibility for the two blasts in Brussels.