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French Missions in Turkey Closed over Security Fears | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Turkish riot police stand guard in front of the French Consulate in central Istanbul, Turkey, July 13, 2016. REUTERS/Murad Sezer


French diplomatic missions in Turkey’s two main cities have been closed until further notice, the embassy in Ankara said on Wednesday.

It also cancelled planned events to mark France’s July 14 National Day due to security concerns.

The French consulate general in Istanbul had been due to hold a reception on Wednesday evening to mark National Day, while French missions in Ankara and the Aegean coastal city of Izmir had planned events for Thursday.

“For security reasons, July 14th receptions planned in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir are cancelled,” the embassy said in a statement, adding that it had informed the Turkish authorities of the decision and was in close contact with them.

“The embassy of France in Ankara, as well as the consulate general in Istanbul will be closed from Wednesday July 13, 1 p.m. (1000 GMT), until further notice,” it said.

The consulate general in Istanbul said earlier that there was information suggesting a “serious threat against plans for the celebration of the July 14 national holiday in Turkey”.

Turkey faces multiple security threats, including from ISIS militants, blamed for a triple suicide bombing at Istanbul’s main airport two weeks ago which killed 45 people and wounded hundreds. That attack was the deadliest in a series of bombings this year in the NATO member state.