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France closes its missions in Turkey for security reasons

France has closed its embassy in Ankara and the consulate in Istanbul until further notice for security reasons.

The French embassy in the Turkish capital of Ankara has been shut due to security concerns.
The French embassy in the Turkish capital of Ankara has been shut due to security concerns. ADEM ALTAN/AFP
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“The Embassy of France in Ankara, as well as the Consulate General in Istanbul will be closed from Wednesday July 13, 1:00 pm, until further notice,” the embassy said in a statement.

France had earlier cancelled its planned traditional July 14 events at diplomatic missions in Turkey for security reasons after receiving intelligence of a “serious” threat.

France's consulate in Istanbul, its embassy in Ankara and its mission in the Aegean city of Izmir were all to have held celebrations marking the July 14 Bastille Day.

French consul to Istanbul, Muriel Domenach wrote on Twitter the events in all three cities had been cancelled “for security reasons” and France was in touch with the Turkish authorities.

Earlier, the Istanbul consulate had sent an email message to French citizens in Turkey saying that there had been “concurring information of a serious threat against the organisation of the July 14 celebrations in Turkey.”

It said the decision had been taken in coordination with the Turkish authorities.

Turkey is on a high security alert following the June 28 attack on Istanbul's main airport which was blamed on Islamic State armed group jihadists and killed 47 people.

This followed a spate of attacks across the country this year blamed on IS jihadists and Kurdish militants.

 

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