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Some 20 US diplomatic missions in Mideast, North Africa to be closed whole week - US Department of State

Earlier, the US administration suspended the operation of these diplomatic missions only for August 4 and 5

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

WASHINGTON, August 5 (Itar-Tass) - Around 20 US embassies and consulates in the Middle East and North Africa will be closed until the end of next week, spokesperson for the US Department of State Jen Psaki reported on Monday.

Earlier, the US administration suspended the operation of these diplomatic missions only for August 4 and 5 because of the increased terrorist threat coming from the Arabian Peninsula.

“Given that a number of our embassies and consulates were going to be closed in accordance with local custom and practice for the bulk of the week for the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan, and out of an abundance of caution, we’ve decided to extend the closure of several embassies and consulates including a small number of additional posts,” Psaki said.

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