From North Africa to Mideast, security boosted in Europe
(ANSAmed) – WASHINGTON – The threats that have led the US to decide to close several embassies this Sunday in a number of Muslim countries in North Africa and the Middle East are linked to Al Qaida, the chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, Ed Royce, said on Friday. The security threats concern an extremely vast area including central-southern Asia.
US diplomatic offices which are normally open on Sunday and will instead be shut down on August 4, are in Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Dhaka in Bangladesh, Amman in Jordan, Muscat in Oman, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Algiers in Algeria, Abu Dhabi in the Emirates, Sanaa in Yemen and Tripoli in Libya, the State Department said.
Ed Royce told CNN the threats come from the Middle East and central Asia and are linked to Al Qaida. All necessary steps to guarantee the security of civilian and military personnel abroad will be taken, Royce said, adding that the issue was discussed at a meeting two days ago with lawmakers and Vice President Joe Biden.
CNN’s website also reported that hundreds of Marines will be deployed to protect US embassies in Rome, Madrid and other southern European and North African countries, as requested by the State Department.
High US diplomatic officials said other US strategic locations including military bases abroad will also be under tight security.
According to the State Department, tension is rising as the holy Muslim month of Ramadan is about to end and the first anniversary of attacks against the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, which killed the ambassador and three American security officials at the diplomatic compound on September 11 is approaching. (ANSAmed)