Western States Shut Down Embassies in Yemen over 'Specific' Al-Qaeda Threats
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The British, German, Dutch and French embassies in Yemen will be closed over increased security concerns, the European countries have announced.
The White House has announced that that President Obama has been briefed on the threat and preparedness of US embassies, after security officials met to assess the risk levels, RT reported.
Led by the national security adviser, Susan Rice, the meeting was also attended by the secretaries of state, defence and head of homeland security and as well as the FBI and CIA.
France will close its embassy in Yemen for several days, while Germany and Britain will close theirs for two days on Sunday and Monday.
Previously the French Foreign Ministry has said that the Embassy would only be shut on Sunday.
"We are informed directly and indirectly of threats concerning our installations overseas and even our nationals, threats coming from al-Qaida," the French President Hollande said Saturday.
"The decision was made for security reasons because of a threat that was considered elevated," a spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry said.
Germany also warned its citizens from traveling to the country and that the situation there "is uncertain in the future".
The British embassy in Yemen will close temporarily after escalating violence and terrorist threats, the Foreign Office said Friday. While the Embassy will operate with an “essential staff,” all other British citizens were advised to leave Yemen.
The British announced the precautionary measures after the United States issued a worldwide travel alert, citing the intelligence indicating al-Qaeda terrorists may be planning attack somewhere in the Middle East or Africa.
Canada meanwhile has announced that its embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh would be closed on Sunday for the “safety and security of our personnel.” The Dutch embassy will also be closed on Sunday.
