UK closes missions as precaution against attacks

Britain today closed a string of its diplomatic missions abroad as a precaution against possible terrorist attacks on the anniversary of September 11.

Foreign Office sources said the offices in Islamabad and Karachi, both in Pakistan, Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, Singapore, Dili in East Timor, Dushanbe in Tajikistan, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Bahrain, all in the Middle East, Lilongwe, Malawi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam were closed today, and might also be closed tomorrow if that was deemed prudent.

The sources said the move was entirely precautionary, noting that prior to September 11 last year the most notable attacks carried out by Al Qaida had been bombings of US Embassies in Africa several years previously.

The sources said the Foreign Office had not changed its travel advice in relation to the countries concerned, though that was being kept under review. They said they believed any threat was more likely to be directed against obvious and fixed British facilities rather than travellers.