Obama offers Turkey's Erdogan condolences on nightclub attack

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JANUARY 3: A group of people hold a banner at site as they gather to pay tribute to the victims of Istanbul nightclub terror attack in Istanbul, Turkey on January 3, 2017. An armed terrorist attack killed at least 39 people and injured 69 — four of them critically — at an Istanbul nightclub during the new year celebrations on early hours of 1st of January, 2017. ( Berk Özkan – Anadolu Agency )

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JANUARY 3: A woman and a man take part in a protest against Istanbul nightclub terror attack in Istanbul, Turkey on January 3, 2017. An armed terrorist attack killed at least 39 people and injured 69 — four of them critically — at an Istanbul nightclub during the new year celebrations on early hours of 1st of January, 2017. ( Berk Özkan – Anadolu Agency )

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JANUARY 3: A man is seen with a carnation as he takes part in a protest against Istanbul nightclub terror attack in Istanbul, Turkey on January 3, 2017. An armed terrorist attack killed at least 39 people and injured 69 — four of them critically — at an Istanbul nightclub during the new year celebrations on early hours of 1st of January, 2017. ( Berk Özkan – Anadolu Agency )

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JANUARY 3: A man is seen with a carnation as he takes part in a protest against Istanbul nightclub terror attack in Istanbul, Turkey on January 3, 2017. An armed terrorist attack killed at least 39 people and injured 69 — four of them critically — at an Istanbul nightclub during the new year celebrations on early hours of 1st of January, 2017. ( Berk Özkan – Anadolu Agency )

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JANUARY 3: A man is seen with a carnation as he takes part in a protest against Istanbul nightclub terror attack in Istanbul, Turkey on January 3, 2017. An armed terrorist attack killed at least 39 people and injured 69 — four of them critically — at an Istanbul nightclub during the new year celebrations on early hours of 1st of January, 2017. ( Berk Özkan – Anadolu Agency )

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JANUARY 3: People take part in a protest against Istanbul nightclub terror attack in Istanbul, Turkey on January 3, 2017. An armed terrorist attack killed at least 39 people and injured 69 — four of them critically — at an Istanbul nightclub during the new year celebrations on early hours of 1st of January, 2017. ( Berk Özkan – Anadolu Agency )

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JANUARY 3: People take part in a protest against Istanbul nightclub terror attack in Istanbul, Turkey on January 3, 2017. An armed terrorist attack killed at least 39 people and injured 69 — four of them critically — at an Istanbul nightclub during the new year celebrations on early hours of 1st of January, 2017. ( Berk Özkan – Anadolu Agency )

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JANUARY 3: Carnations are placed at site as people take part in a protest against Istanbul nightclub terror attack in Istanbul, Turkey on January 3, 2017. An armed terrorist attack killed at least 39 people and injured 69 — four of them critically — at an Istanbul nightclub during the new year celebrations on early hours of 1st of January, 2017. ( Berk Özkan – Anadolu Agency )

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JANUARY 3: People leave carnations at site as they take part in a protest against Istanbul nightclub terror attack in Istanbul, Turkey on January 3, 2017. An armed terrorist attack killed at least 39 people and injured 69 — four of them critically — at an Istanbul nightclub during the new year celebrations on early hours of 1st of January, 2017. ( Berk Özkan – Anadolu Agency )

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JANUARY 3: Carnations are placed at site as people take part in a protest against Istanbul nightclub terror attack in Istanbul, Turkey on January 3, 2017. An armed terrorist attack killed at least 39 people and injured 69 — four of them critically — at an Istanbul nightclub during the new year celebrations on early hours of 1st of January, 2017. ( Berk Özkan – Anadolu Agency )

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JANUARY 3: Carnations are placed at site as people take part in a protest against Istanbul nightclub terror attack in Istanbul, Turkey on January 3, 2017. An armed terrorist attack killed at least 39 people and injured 69 — four of them critically — at an Istanbul nightclub during the new year celebrations on early hours of 1st of January, 2017. ( Berk Özkan – Anadolu Agency )

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JANUARY 3: Carnations are placed at site as people take part in a protest against Istanbul nightclub terror attack in Istanbul, Turkey on January 3, 2017. An armed terrorist attack killed at least 39 people and injured 69 — four of them critically — at an Istanbul nightclub during the new year celebrations on early hours of 1st of January, 2017. ( Berk Özkan – Anadolu Agency )

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JANUARY 3: People leave carnations at site as they take part in a protest against Istanbul nightclub terror attack in Istanbul, Turkey on January 3, 2017. An armed terrorist attack killed at least 39 people and injured 69 — four of them critically — at an Istanbul nightclub during the new year celebrations on early hours of 1st of January, 2017. ( Berk Özkan – Anadolu Agency )

President Barack Obama spoke by telephone on Tuesday with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to offer his condolences for those killed and wounded in an attack on an Istanbul nightclub on December 31 for which the Islamic State has claimed responsibility, the White House said in a statement.

Obama also welcomed Turkey’s efforts to facilitate a nationwide ceasefire in Syria and a return to political negotiations between the Syrian government and the opposition, the statement said.