Blast outside Turkey embassy a terrorist attack: US

The blast outside the United States embassy in Turkey on Friday that claimed two lives was a terrorist attack, the US State Department has said. 

"We can confirm a terrorist blast at a check point on the perimeter of our embassy compound in Ankara, Turkey, at 1.13 PM local time," said State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland.

"We are working closely with the Turkish national police to make a full assessment of the damage and the casualties and to begin an investigation," Nuland said in a statement.

Congressman Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the suicide bombing at the US Embassy in Turkey is yet another stark reminder of the constant terrorist threat against US facilities, personnel, and interests abroad.

"Coming after Benghazi, it underscores the need for a comprehensive review of security at our diplomatic posts," Royce said in a statement.

A Turkish security guard was killed and several other people wounded in a suicide bombing outside the highly-fortified US embassy in Ankara on Friday.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.