Fighting back tears following the Brussels terrorist attacks, Europe's foreign policy chief abruptly walked out of a news conference in Jordan saying 'today is a difficult day'.

Federica Mogherini was finishing her opening statement at a joint news conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh when she was overcome by emotion.

When Mr Judeh resumed speaking, she walked over to him, whispered 'I'm sorry,' and briefly embraced him. The two then walked off the stage.

EUn Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini is overcome with emotion after reacting to the Brussels attacks

The EU Foreign Policy chief fought back tears as she ended with the poignant words: 'Today is a difficult day'

A series of blasts in the Belgian capital this morning have killed at least 34 people and injured 170 in the city.

In her opening remarks in the Jordanian capital of Amman, Ms Mogherini said: 'It's a very sad day for Europe as Europe and its capital are suffering the same pain that this region has known every single day - plagued in Syria, plagued elsewhere.'

Jordan is currently home to more than 600,000 U.N.-registered refugees from the five-year-old conflict in Syria, across its northern border, which has killed more than 250,000 people and displaced more than 10 million.

She added: 'We are still waiting for more precise news on the dynamics of the attacks but it is quite clear that the roots of the pain we are suffering around our region are very much the same.

'We are united in not only suffering our victims but also reacting to this act and preventing radicalisation and violence together.'

Closing her statement, the Vice President of the EU Commission remarked: 'We believe that the message coming from Amman, constantly and consistently, is of an Islam that is an Islam of peace and dialogue and co-operation is what we need in this moment here in the region and in Europe.'

She fought back tears as she ended with the poignant words: 'Today is a difficult day.'

Mr Judeh, Jordan's foreign minister, thanked Ms Mogherini for her 'strong message of support to Jordan' and said 'we will stand with you today and with our friends in Europe and with all peace-loving nations'.

But he was interrupted as Ms Mogherini excused herself, visibly moved by his words. She hugged the Jordanian politician before leaving the stage.

First attack: At least 14 people have died and dozens injured after two explosions rocked Brussels Airport in a terror attack this morning

Passengers shield themselves under bags as smoke and debris fill the terminal in the moments after the twin blast at Brussels Airport

Explosion: The image above is being used by the Belgian media who claim this is the damage caused by the bomb at the Maelbeek Metro station in central Brussels this morning. It has not been verified by the authorities but is being widely circulated on social media

Witnesses described apocalyptic scenes with blood and 'dismembered bodies everywhere' after two blasts rocked Brussels Airport at around 8am (7am GMT), killing at least 14 people and injuring dozens of others.

At the airport, there were reports of a firefight between police and the attackers who shouted in Arabic moments before detonating their bombs.

An unexploded suicide vest was later found in the rubble and a Kalashnikov rifle beside the body of a dead terrorist.

The blasts, which detonated near the American Airlines and Brussels Airlines check-in desks, sent shockwaves through the terminal building, shattering windows and knocking roof tiles off the ceiling as terrified passengers ran for their lives.

Then 79 minutes later at 9.19am, at least 20 people were killed and scores injured, some critically, when a blast hit a Metro station just 400 metres from the EU headquarters in the Maelbeek area of central Brussels.