Sweden closes embassy after terror warnings

Sweden closed its embassy in Kenya today amid threats of terrorism and moved operations to the ambassador’s home.

The move was based on warnings of possible attacks on diplomatic missions in Nairobi, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lars-Olof Lundberg.

US officials and Western diplomats have said that intercepted communications among al-Qaida operatives in eastern Africa and other unspecified intelligence indicated terrorists may be plotting an attacks on embassies or the residences of foreign officials in the capital, Nairobi.

Lundberg said there was no direct threat against the Swedish embassy, but said the building also houses 10 other embassies and the offices of British Airways and Israeli airline El Al.

The ambassador and other diplomats will work from their homes until the threat subsides, he said.

Finland closed its embassy in Nairobi for the day and diplomats were urged to stay home.