Azernews.Az

WASHINGTON D.C. – The US embassy in Azerbaijan has issued a warning to Americans living in the country over an increased terror threat following the killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden by US troops.

Keith Bean, the embassy’s spokesman, said the US government advises its citizens living abroad to exercise caution.

"We have delivered this message to our citizens registered at the US embassy in Azerbaijan via text messages. Also, we have posted the warning on the embassy’s website," Bean said.

Following bin Laden’s killing on Sunday in a special US military operation in Abottabad, about 50 kilometers north of the Pakistani capital Islamabad, the State Department issued a statement citing a serious threat to the lives of US citizens across the world.

"Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, US citizens in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations," the State Department said.

"US government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture," it said.

Bean said the US embassy in Baku was operating as before.

"We are coordinating our work on security issues with the Azerbaijani government," he said. "Our work hours are the same, and all of our staff are working."

But US Ambassador Matthew Bryza has told the press that the US embassy’s security has been tightened to some extent.

"Relevant Azerbaijani agencies, the interior and national security ministries have done a great deal to ensure the embassy’s safety. We are happy with what they are doing. I and the embassy’s employees feel good in terms of safety here."

Orkhan Mansurzada, an Interior Ministry spokesman, said the missions of the United States and other countries in Azerbaijan are properly guarded. He said the police reliably protect the safety of diplomatic missions, particularly those of Western countries, diplomats and their places of residence.

National Security Ministry spokesman Arif Babayev said the required pre-emptive steps were being taken to ward off potential threats to security following bin Laden’s killing.