U.S. suspends consular services in Pakistan due to security concerns

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- The United States has suspended visa services at consular offices in Pakistan following a bloody terror attack in the capital of the country, the State Department said Thursday.

"Consular services have been temporarily suspended as of today," State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood told a news briefing.

"We are very concerned about the security situation. We had the attack on the Marriott Hotel almost a week ago, and it's of great concern," he said.

Despite the suspension of consular services in Pakistan, the United States will continue its emergency services for American citizens in the country, according to the spokesman.

The United States has its consular offices in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad.

A massive truck bombing occurred outside Marriott hotel in the center of Islamabad on Saturday evening, killing at least 53 people, including two Americans and Czech ambassador Ivo Zdarek. More than 250 others were wounded in the attack.