Ambassadors at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation were to mark a minute of silence in support of the victims at the beginning of a meeting of the policy-setting North Atlantic Council Friday morning, officials said.

Flags were also flying at half mast in front of the alliance's Brussels headquarters, where security checks had been stepped up, according to an AFP reporter.

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer condemned on Thursday the "appalling attacks" that hit London, calling for "the international community and members of the Alliance to remain united in the fight against terrorism."

Terrorist bombs killed at least 37 people Thursday and injured around 700 on London's transport network.

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