Addis Ababa, Mar 23 (IANS): The African Union (AU) has strongly condemned the attacks in Brussels that killed at least 34 people.

An AU statement issued on Tuesday said Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chairperson of the AU Commission, "strongly condemns the despicable attacks at the Zaventem Airport and the central metro station in Brussels, claiming dozens of lives of innocent civilians and leaving scores wounded", Xinhua news agency reported.

Dlamini-Zuma expressed the AU's solidarity with the government and people of Belgium, offering her condolences to the bereaved families and wished speedy recovery to the wounded.

She reaffirmed the AU's strong rejection of all acts of terrorism and violent extremism.

She said the AU would continue working with Belgium and the other members of the European Union, and the international community at large in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, stressing the need for enhanced international counter-terrorism cooperation.

The blasts, which occurred at the Belgian capital's airport and at the Maalbeek metro station, have killed at least 34 people and injured hundreds.