US embassy in Saudi Arabia stops operations in wake of 'heightened security concerns'

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ANI Washington
Last Updated : Mar 15 2015 | 11:57 AM IST

United States officials have said that they are halting operations at the Saudi Arabia embassy and consulates in wake of "heightened security concerns."

In a statement issued in Riyadh on Sunday, embassy officials said that telephone lines at the facilities will be shut down for Sunday and Monday and urged American citizens in Saudi Arabia to "be aware of their surroundings and take extra precautions when travelling throughout the country," reported Fox News.

The statement did not mention a specific security threat or call for the evacuation of facilities.

However, an intelligence source said that the security measures were triggered by a car bomb threat and added that it was "serious enough" that the facilities would only have essential staff over the next two days.

The U.S. Consulate Generals in Saudi Arabia are based in the cities of Dhahran and Jeddah.

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First Published: Mar 15 2015 | 11:40 AM IST

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