US Shuts Embassies, Citing al-Qaida Threat | WPN World People News

The United States is shutting down more than 20 embassies and consulates Sunday, and has issued a worldwide travel alert to U.S. citizens, warning of an al-Qaida terrorist threat.

Some other countries have taken similar actions, and the international police organization Interpol has issued its own security alert.

The U.S. State Department alert says the potential for terrorist attacks is particularly strong in the Middle East and North Africa. It says al-Qaida and its affiliates may focus efforts to conduct attacks between now and the end of August, and that those attacks could possibly come from the Arabian Peninsula.

On Saturday, the White House held a high-level meeting about the terrorism fears. Those attending the meeting, chaired by National Security Advisor Susan Rice, included Secretary of State John Kerry, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, along with the heads of the CIA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Security Agency.

Meanwhile, Interpol said its alert stems from recent prison escapes in Iraq, Libya, Pakistan and six other countries. Interpol says al-Qaida is suspected of involvement in several of the breakouts, which it says led to the escape of "hundreds of terrorists and other criminals."

Britain and Germany announced they will close their embassies in Yemen on Sunday and Monday due to increased security concerns.

Most of the U.S. embassies and consulates being closed Sunday are in the Muslim world, including embassies in Iraq, Libya and Yemen. Officials say the closures could be extended after an evaluation.

source: Voice of America