Norway closes embassy in Kabul after terror threats

Norway closed its embassy in the Afghan capital because of terror threats today, nearly four weeks after a suicide attack on a luxury hotel in Kabul killed eight people including a Norwegian journalist.

Foreign Ministry officials declined to describe the threats, or reveal whether they were specifically directed at Norway.

The Nordic nation has been singled out at least twice as a potential target by al Qaida, and recently confirmed it would send more troops to the Nato force in Afghanistan.

“The embassy has been closed down today due to terror threats,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Kristin Melsom said. She would not describe the threats and said it was too early to speculate on how long the embassy would remain closed.

Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet reported on its website that the embassy had sent an email to Norwegians in Afghanistan, advising them that the embassy would be closed until further notice because of a possible threat.

A reporter for that paper was among those killed when militants with suicide vests, grenades and AK-47 assault rifles attacked the Serena hotel in Kabul on January 15. Norway’s foreign minister was in the hotel at the time, but was unhurt.

Norway in past years has been singled out at least twice among nations al Qaida has said should be targeted because of its participation in the Nato-led coalition in Afghanistan and a previous deployment in Iraq.

Norwegian Defence Minister Anne-Grete Strom-Erichsen on Friday confirmed that Norway will add 200 extra troops to its 500 soldiers in Afghanistan with the deployment of special forces and helicopters in March.