World Heritage Committee suspends session in Istanbul amid reports of coup attempt

Representatives discuss during the evaluation of China's Zuojiang Huashan rock-art cultural landscape at the 40th session of World Heritage Committee held in Istanbul, Turkey, July 15, 2016. China's Zuojiang Huashan rock-art cultural landscape was added to the World Heritage List here on Friday. [Photo: Xinhua]

The World Heritage Committee early Saturday announced the suspension of its 40th session in Istanbul amid reports of a coup attempt in Turkey.

"On behalf of the host country, please be informed that the session of the World Heritage Committee is suspended until further notice," it said in a statement.

"A review of the situation will be communicated as soon as possible," the statement added.